The Impact Of One
Holly Weber captured these moments at the lake george Show this weekend
I know there are cliche’s about the loss of someone that made life better. Gone too soon, etc. But yesterdays tragic news seemed different. More deep for all of us in this community of classic boats. When tragedy strikes this quick and randomly, it’s like the world just keeps going, and yet stops all at the same time. A void of sorts blankets all of us, not just the loved ones and people close.
Friday on Lake George
Thats the case with Mark Masons passing. I wasn’t that close to him, yet feel the loss very deeply, for the little tight universe we love so much. I am sorry, I am still trying to figure out how to say all this. Yes Mr Typo random writer off the cuff, is trying to speak from the heart, and it’s all kinda garble.
Timeless gathering for a boat ride on Lake George
Yesterday after the notice we got some images from Holly Weber from the Lake George Show, in which Mark was going to be part of, so even though life goes on, the sadness that fell over the show, was palatable. It’s interesting to see life going on, yet in our hearts something is missing. We all miss you Mark, you made our passion, far more interesting.
A beautiful day on Lake George August in NY is always amazing
Lake George is considered by many as one of the most beutiful Lakes in the world.
The Turcotte’s brought generations of GAR WOOD passion to the show. And yes we all feel this image in a special way right now.
We also got some images from Kent O Smith as a reminder of how much fun Mark brought to events and or passion
So thanks to Kent O. Smith Jr, we canhave Mark out running, on the lake. In a way, he was there.
Thanks Mark. The wake of your life will forever be felt.
…..may his memory(s) be our blessings. S
Thank you Holly and Kent O for the beautiful images. I know Mark is enjoying them!
Mr. Mason:
Mark Mason: Restorer and enthusiast who rescued “Baby Bootlegger” as a deteriorated boat from Canada and brought it back to historic condition. (Now in the esteemed collection of Lee Anderson.)
Many words can be used to describe our friend Mark.
Crazy, obsessed, driven, relentless, loyal……….
For me, the only one that can sum it all up:
Passion
Very well done Matt. and Holly. and Kent.
Murdock summed it up well, Mark’s passion drove him. The one thing I wanted to know and never got a chance to dive into was how that passion evolved. We were always like ships passing in the night. He would ask me about my trail running and I would ask about his latest project and then get interrupted by another conversation from a passerby. You don’t just flip a switch and become a race boat fanatic. Where did this passion initially develop other than being from Michigan which is/was arguably the center of the woody boater universe for many. Mark had this knack for doing a deep dive into discovering all these gems. And then restore them, which was another incredible passion, and then thrash them. His boats were no trailer queens. Besides regretting not being able to find time to get into Mark’s background, he offered me a ride in Wilgold III in Mount Dora and then one of those late afternoon wind storms preceding a thunderstorm came across Lake Dora cancelling that. Mark will always be remembered for these magnificent works of art he brought into our hobby (is it really a hobby? seems too flippant of a term). May you rest in peace.