Obituary of Mark Edgar Gilchrist
In Loving MemoryMark Gilchrist, with his family by his side, passed away on August 13, 2020 with the sound of his favourite music playing in the background. Wonderful and devoted husband and best friend of 22 years to Aileen, adored father to his daughters and the loves of his life, Maren (16) and Brynn (10) and master to his trusty side-kick Angus, his Scottish Terrier. In addition to the friends and colleagues too numerous to list, Mark will be fondly remembered by his older (and wiser) brother Marvin, sister-in-law Brenda and cherished nephew James; loving mother Joyce; and younger sister Michelle and brother-in-law Jerry. He also leaves behind his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Margaret, who loved and supported him as the son they never had.Mark was a double liver transplant recipient, over 11 years, due to an autoimmune disease. The first transplant was thanks to the most selfless act imaginable from Aileen’s Uncle William as a living donor. Eight years later a second transplant was needed due to recurrence of the disease and another donation was received as the final act of kindness from an anonymous organ donor. If you haven’t opted in to be an organ donor, please visit beadonor.ca and register in honour of Mark.Known in his high school, and university days as Gilly, Mark had many passions. Football, fitness, history, politics, motorcycles, planes, cars, landscaping, home renovations and literature. But after his family, the most important things to him were music and boating. Mark could name the artist and backing musicians after hearing only the first 5 notes of a jazz tune. But it wasn’t just jazz - classic rock, eighties, classical, country, popular music - he loved it all. Not only could he play the drums, he embraced his wife’s Scottish heritage and took up playing the bagpipes shortly after they started dating. For many years he marched with the Streetsville Pipes and Drums (official pipe band to the Queens York Rangers)But it was up at the lake on the family boat that made Mark the happiest. The best family times were spent living on the boat on Lake Simcoe, locking the Trent-Severn Canal system, sitting around the campfire at the marina and meeting some of the best, and most important friends of his life in the process. He loved teaching his girls how to work the lines, drive the dinghy and all the responsibilities of boating life. It was his dream to do The Great Loop with Aileen when they retired.Mark had originally planned to pursue police work. But instead, after graduating from McMaster University, he traveled to Australia to complete his Bachelor of Education. Mark was a deeply respected teacher by both his students and his colleagues. Mark’s passion for his job and his unshakable work ethic were so strong he had to be practically strong-armed to take sick leave when his transplants were imminent. Mark completed the Principals Qualification Program and took on an additional role on Saturdays as an Administrator for an International Languages Program in Continuing Education.Mark lived by a strong moral code, was deeply loyal, a gentleman, had a dry sense of humour, a quick wit and a not always seen but always appreciated goofy side. He loved good food, fine wine, peanut M&M’s and was a Star Wars geek. He always told his girls to be a leader, not a follower and that the three rules were focus, work hard and have fun. His passing feels immensely unfair and we feel a deep sorrow as he was taken from us far too soon. But his body no longer deserved him and he had to be set free. We picture him now sipping a glass of vintage tawny port, sitting on the bow of a boat enjoying the sunset with Tony Bennett crooning in the background.A heartfelt thanks to the transplant team at Toronto General Hospital.A visitation will take place at Oakview Funeral Home (56 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville) on Sunday August 23. Due to COVID-19, only 50 people will be allowed in the main visitation room at any given time. Masks are mandatory. To help manage the number of people in the funeral home at any one time and ensure everyone will have an opportunity to pay their respects, it is preferred you email bnmmcpherson@sourcecable.net in advance indicating your intended arrival window and the number in your party per the following. If your preferred time is at capacity you will be advised. Sunday August 23, 2020 Afternoon: between 1pm and 2pm; 2pm and 3pm; 3pm and 4pmEvening: between 6pm and 7pm; 7pm and 8pmThank you for you understanding and support of COVID-19 safety measures.
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