Mark (thecat)

[+ANDYBUG&LADYBIRD]

We have only just got the very sad news as our computer has been down, we were deeply shocked and very much saddened to hear of Marks passing. We never actually had any dealings with him but, we knew of his contributions to charity and geocaching. May he rest in peace and we will be thinking of him and his family. Deepest sympathy, Andy&Kerrie.x

[+Stuey]

I too have only just discovered this sad news as I have been away from home for the past week. I met Mark last year on his CIN Fox Hunt one evening. He was the first cacher I met out on the road and he was a genuinely nice bloke. He also gave me his last Pudsy biscuit . Thanks for doing the book of condolence Ian, a wonderful idea and a lovely way for his family to realise the scale of his impact on Geocaching and fellow Geocachers. He will be missed.

[+Hi-Tek]

I'm collating the messages in the various forums into a book of condolences and will give it to Mark's family at the funeral.  (No word on when that is yet).

Ian, I'm sure all of us in the Geocaching community wish you well in undertaking this difficult task - very many thanks.

[+Nawtcher]

I very rarely read the forums these days and so I'm ashamed to say I've only just found out about Marks passing.

 

Needless to say, I am deeply saddened. I was fortunate enough to have met Mark about five times at different meets and the fox hunts and I always found him to be a pleasure to talk to. His enthusiasm for Geocaching seemed to be without bounds.

 

Rest in peace friend.

[+Simply Paul]

I was never lucky enough to meet Mark but I did do one of his caches - Chosen Hill - last year. I'd just like to extend my sympathies to his friends and family and hope that all his caches can be adopted as a lasting memorial to a man who gave so much to the sport of Geocaching.

 

SP

[LazyLeopard]

That's sad news. Condolences to Mark's family.

 

Rick

[+Jilly & Gray]

Noticed in a log of one cache on our watchlist the sad news, so caught up with the forums to verify this. We met Mark last year on the CIN Fox Hunt - lovely chap, our sympathies go to his family and close friends - he will be sorely missed by all cachers, those who knew him and those who didn't. Nice idea to maybe plan a fox hunt in his memory.

[+The Hokesters]

I only got chance to trade emails with Mark a couple of times and it seemed that not only was he the nice guy as many people have commented but he definitely had the GC bug as much if not more than anyone else I have come across.

 

I have lost both parents, Mum only recently. Dad to a heart attack like Mark and Mum to six years of cancer and I really can not say which is worse.

 

The void that is left by loved ones is sometimes imaginable and my thoughts and hopes are with Mark's family.

 

Rest in Peace fella!

 

Simon

[+Teasel]

Mark's funeral has been set for 11am next Wednesday, 13th October in Bradford. I've been asked to keep track of how many geocachers to expect, so if you wish to attend please email me for full details of where it's being held.

 

Thanks,

Ian

[Team Tate]

I know that some people may not be able to attend the funeral, but how about a donation to a charity in his memory?

Are we able to find out if there is a particular charity that his family would like donations to be made to?

 

Sarah x

[+Chris n Maria]

I know that some people may not be able to attend the funeral, but how about a donation to a charity in his memory?

Are we able to find out if there is a particular charity that his family would like donations to be made to?

 

Sarah x

Children in need seems appropriate to me.

 

Chris

[+The Hokesters]

I am sure the family will have nominated a charity - might be worth seeing if it is one which accepts paypal payments?

 

Si

[The Cuthberts]

Our belated, sincere condolences.

 

Only met him once, but what enthusiasm and kindness.

[+arndale]

I'd also like to offer my belated condolences. I'd never met Mark, (only dealt with him via the geocacheuk shop when it first started up), but his name is always one of those that I think of when I think of Geocaching and what it is all about.

 

Dean

[+OzGuff]

I know that this is way late but better late than never.

 

My only contact with TheCat was through the geocacheuk site which I used to plan my caching trips while in the UK. It is a great resource, and I thank Mark (and Ian) for keeping it going.

 

I just read all three pages of testimonials and remembrances and was struck by how much positive impact Mark had on the UK geocaching community. There is no doubt that he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mark's family, friends and colleagues.

[+Team Minim]

Late post I know, but work gets in the way these days.

When Mark was setting up GUK he had a logo competition, my son Mick had a go, his first real design on a computer. Although it was childish and obviously not slick mark sent mick a prize for having a go- he didn't have to- he did because he was a nice bloke.

The world has lost a gentleman.

[+DerekReed]

 

Sorry for my prolonged absence. Regrettably, I haven't been very busy on the geocaching recently and also haven't had time to read the forums, and only found out about Mark's sad passing when I tripped over a post on GAGB.

 

I'm both surprised and saddened by the death of the Mark (the Cat).

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mark at the Chichester Meet (because I was early for once - one of the first few there, I had chance to talk to Mark for quite a while before anyone else turned up), and also at the Farley Mount Geocaching day (Mark gave me a couple of badges for my grandkids).

 

His boundless energy and enthusiasm were quite inspiring. Thank you Mark for all that you have done for Geocaching in the UK.

 

He will be sadly missed. My condolences to his family, and all of his friends.

 

Derek

Edited November 25, 2004 by DerekReed

[+LadyStevenson]

I'm from Moscow Idaho USA and happen to run across the GeocachingUK page....I too am sorry to hear of "The Cat's" passing!! I have never met him (obviously) but the passing of any geocacher is sad news, especially one who did so much!! My condolances to the family, as well as my husbands, Moun10goat.

 

~~LadyStevenson