Dear Mark,

This is a letter I should've written long ago. I'm so sorry you're only getting it now.

Mark, where in the world did you get that wacky accent? Did you work on that or were you born with it? Was it Boston Brahman or Maine lobsterman?

Mark, What’s up with those goat skin ski mittens? They looked more like work gloves than ski gear. But maybe that was the point. Never mind I only now realized they complemented that sweater that you wore for 30 years.

Mark, why did you keep asking me to become a member of Ski Club Hochgebirge? Was it because you admired my loyalty to Curtis Brockelman? You knew I couldn't leave the Red Farmhouse up on Eaton Road until Brockie past.

Mark, thanks for persisting in asking me to become a member of Ski Club Hochgebirge. Just wanted you to know that it's your enduring legacy to my family and changed son Ben, wife Julie and my life for the better.

Mark, why did you put up with my bullshit? Was it because you were married to Janet?

Mark, thanks for sharing your scotch with me. Even if it was only The Famous Grouse!

Mark, early on it was great fun going for day sails on the mighty Jezebel out of Annisquam.

Mark, just wanted you to know that you instilled in me a love for bright work and varnish. And just a bit of distain for fiberglass.

Mark, you cursed me with that love of brightwork as now my own boat has a ton of it. What was I thinking?

Mark, thanks for taking Jules and myself to Roque Island on the mighty Jezebel. We will never forget the rocky passage there or the long sandy beach. Sorry we shredded your spinnaker! Thank God you took it like a man!

Mark, Peter Sawyer and I standing along the side of the trail, will never forget watching that yahoo in the backseat on the Tucker Brook Carriage Road, skimming straight off the tops of the Moguls, no turns and wildly out of control…… only to discover it was you.

Mark, I want to let you know you were a mentor and a good friend.

We’ll be looking for traces of you “Over The Saddle” or on the far side of “Newfound…LAND”

“You Are Of The Finest Kind”

Bless You and Godspeed.