1958-2014
Mark Maxwell loved the outdoors. Nothing made him happier than having a brisk breeze at his back while he windsurfed, or having the sun on his brow as he hiked. As an avid rock climber, diver and cyclist he lived for adventure and had a special appreciation of nature. Seeking the ultimate outdoor experience often took him beyond our provincial boundaries to locations such as Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Yukon.
Mark, or Max, as his friends knew him, grew up in Whiterock and went on to live in many different locations throughout British Columbia. His vocation as a Diamond Driller/Blaster allowed him to spend his non-recreational time outdoors as well. He loved the precision involved in blasting and plied his skills in Tahsis, Port Hardy, Campbell River, Victoria and other locations throughout the province. Along the way he developed many relationships both through work and of course through outdoor recreation. When not in the outdoors Max enjoyed listening to CBC radio, and always thoughtful, never hesitated to call or send letters to express his point of view.
In his mid-forties, after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Max adapted his love of the outdoors to include fly-fishing and gardening, in Squamish, and later in Duncan, where he spent the final years of his life. MS is a horrible disease that forced Max to let go of so many of the things that he loved in life. But it seemed that every time he let go of part of his former self he was able to replace it with something new. For years he faced the disease head on with courage and dignity. Never one to give up he sought experimental treatments outside of Canada and always remained open and positive right up until the end.
The final two years of his life were spent in Sunridge long-term care facility in Duncan where he formed the last meaningful relationships in his life. His infectious smile, and the mischievous glint in his eyes endeared him to the staff there. He was always a bit of a ladies man. Max died on Saturday January 25th at the far to young age of 56.
We will miss him.
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you”.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Donations to the MS society.