I learned of someone’s passing today. This was someone special to me and to many, many people. His name was Phil Mark and he was my teacher, mentor and friend. Let me tell you a bit about him.
Mr. Mark (he asked me to call him Phil when I was an adult and I could never do it) was my junior high school music teacher. I walked into the 7th grade with a bit of talent. I loved to sing, and I was just beginning to discover acting. Just the seed had been planted. I sang in his choir and at the end of the year he invited me to audition for a summer musical. I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan and in those days the Parks and Recreation department had the funds for lots of interesting summer endeavors. Mr. Mark thought it would be great to gather a bunch of students from all over the city and put on a musical. I was game. That first show was titled, aptly enough, On With the Show. We worked on it all summer for a few days each week, and at the end of the summer we performed it. Heaven. I met all sorts of wonderful people and I was hooked. That next year, in Junior High School, I was Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore and I learned to love Gilbert and Sullivan. Still do. The next summer, we did Oliver, and then we went on to perform The King and I, Carnival, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Oliver again (when I was older, this time I got to play the lead), Once Upon a Mattress, The Mikado. I kept on doing these shows through college and even did one after graduating from college.
Through it all I learned how to work with others, what upstage and downstage was, how to sing and act onstage, how to shape a character – how to have fun. I became very close to his family and spent many, many hours at their house. Last year, Mr. Mark’s wife Earlene passed away. And now we have lost Mr. Mark.
I can’t describe how much this man meant to me, to my life, to my wishes and dreams. I went on to do all sorts of shows in high school, to major in Drama in college, and eventually to get my MFA in Acting. All because someone had a dream he wanted to share with kids. He could have taken the summers off. He didn’t. He spent all summer shepherding a bunch of young, green actors and singers through the rehearsal process so that we could create something magical. And we performed the shows, at least several of them, under a tent. Total magic.
My best friend and I spent this morning crying and sharing memories of this time with Mr. Mark. Laural and I have known each other since I was in 7th grade and she was in 8th. We met and bonded during that time, during On With the Show. We had often spoken of meeting in Dearborn (she lives outside of Chicago now) and visiting Mr. Mark once again. Too late. I think he knew how much he meant to me, to Laural, and to so many who were blessed to have known him. I hope so with all my heart.
Bless you and thank you Mr. Mark.
Claudia, I got chills reading your lovely words about a very special person. How wonderful that Mr. Mark gave so much to so many kids. The work that you do is a lasting tribute to him.
What a day…2 birthdays I know of and now 2 deaths. The circle of life.
Hi Claudia:
Thank-you for visiting The Katillac Shack today. I can see from your post that today was a sad and meaningful one for you.
I believe that loving thoughts and intentions are prayers that are not held captive by the earth’s gravity or our limitations of belief. Write Mark a letter. Then meditate and visualize him–ask him what color he would like to receive your message. You will hear or feel a color very quickly.
Send him that color like a light beam from your heart. Your message -the contents of your letter will be received. God uses color and light to help us communicate and heal.
Hope to see you again.
love,kelee
On with the show, indeed. It sounds as if this man had a profound impact on your life and that you’ll carry on his spirit.
So sorry for your loss. But so glad that you had such a wonderful mentor in your life.
Dawn
I am so sorry to hear about your loss :( Mr. Mark sounds like he was a wonderful man…and you are blessed to have all those years of fond memories with him. Hold on to those to get you through this sad time…sending prayers and thoughts your way…
What a lovely man to have taken the time to share so much of himself with others. I often think, that the rewards for such people, is watching others bloom, and in turn, give back to the world in their own way. Teachers have a remarkable opportunity to impact lives. You do that, and I think your friend, and your teacher would be pleased.
My heart is with you this day. I know how hard it is.
Love,
Lena
Oh, I am so sorry! I too have a favorite teacher from high school who nurtured my love of acting. I think I need to drop him a line right now….
Claudia,
Mr.Mark touched so many people, you do too with your teaching and coaching. I bet you have no idea how many lives you have touched.
XO, Mere
hi claudia,
so sorry to hear about mr. mark. how fortunate to have had such an inspiring educator in your young life. your post is such a heartfelt tribute.
i went to dearborn when i was about 11. i remember spending the weekend and going to the henry ford museum. i bought a little brassy ring with a model T on it or something.
warmest thoughts
xo
What a beautiful tribute to Mr. Mark. As a teacher (dance) I wish that we all could impact students like he did. Your post was amazing.
I’m sorry about the loss of your friend, Claudia. He sounds like an extraordinary man…Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage
Bonjour Claudia, I’ve just read your post and must say I’m very sorry for your loss. I’ve meet the same kind of person (a painter in my case) and when she left I was sad and very helpless.When beloved persons leave us it is necessary to say to ourselves that as long as somebody thinks of them they are always alive through our memory. I don’t know if I well explained my mind but the works are coming from my heart.
Hi Claudia.
What a beautiful tribute to a well-loved teacher! We never know the lasting impact that we make when we enter a child’s life!
For many years, I went to football, cheerleading,and gymnastic meets for my 3rd graders. I can still see the excitement and shock in their eyes when I would show up to an after-school event! They absolutely love it!
I’m sure that Mr. Mark knew of your admiration for him. His gift to you was that you went on to hone your craft and touch countless others’ lives!
Blessins to you,
Valerie
Claudia, I’ve been just a touch out of the loop of late, but I wanted to catch up and see how you are doing back in SD. Wow! You amaze me…how neat that you had a mentor like Mr. Mark. Isn’t it neat how a teacher can instill something in another person and they just blossom. I know you are being that teacher to your own students now. Hugs! Rachel
Claudia,
I was feeling a bit nostalgic and decided to google Phil Mark’s name, when I stumbled upon your blog, only to learn of his passing. You see, Phil Mark had been my mentor, too. He had been my music teacher at Stout Junior High, and gave me voice lessons for free, provided that I sing in his church choir at St. Anselm in Dearborn Heights. I went on to major in theatre in college, and although I don’t sing or act much these days — I have a wife and four kids to support — I often look back upon those days with fondness. Mr. Mark will be sorely missed. I regret having lost touch.
Steven Andrews,
Dearborn MI