Obituary of Mark J. Christopher

Mark Christopher,57, passed away on March 26, 2007 at South Jersey Regional Medical Center in Vineland. Mark was born in Vineland and attended elementary school there before moving to Bridgewater, NJ. A 1967 graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Mark attended Wagner College in New York and the University of New Mexico. However, in typical "Sixties Child" fashion, he wandered from the traditional educational path to seek individual enlightenment on his own terms (a style that he seemed to perfect in his life). That quest took him across the United States as he hitchhiked, with guitar and backpack, experiencing advetures only dreamed of by others. Fortunately, part of his learning included the practical arts of construction and carpentry so that he earned his way while traveling the land. Mark perfected his woodworking skills, becoming a master and later establishing his own business, Marlin Cabinetry. He became widely known as "one of the best in the business." While still traveling the land and seeking his purpose, Mark made his way to a monastery in Canada, where he lived an austere, contemplative life for several years. At the conclusion of this experience, he moved on to discern his purpose for himself--"looking for answers to questions that bothered him so." Formed in him by this time also was a devotion to Jesus and His Blesssed Mother that became a life-long consolation. Indeed, he recited the "Angelus" daily and prayed fervently each day of his life. In his inimitable style, Mark became masteful in vast areas of endeavor. He was a gourmet cook, wine connoisseur, gardener, mathematician, poet, linguist, wit, and Biblical scholar. Also, he was a musician, beginning to display that talent in elementary and middle school. He performed in his high school band and had the opportunity to play in the Marching Band (at the request of his parents). In addition, he formed a band, The Cytations, with a group of friends. That band earned a recording contract as the result of a "Battle of the Bands" competition. In his later years, he inadvertently entertained listeners wtih familiar melodies containing "lyrics by Mark," humorous yet strikingly profound. Having lettered in varsity football and wrestling in high school, Mark was recognized for his strength and athletic prowess. Throughout his life, he continued his love of athletics through participation in basketball, baseball, football, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, golfing, and fishing (particularly in his beloved Delaware River). He was an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Braves. As with most deeply sensitive individuals, Mark maintained a love and respect for the most vulnerable: the poor, elderly, children, and animals. His constant companions were his golden retrievers, who often seemed to udnerstand him better than some humans could. Indeed, Mark's gentle and charitable spirit was a trademark of a creative, imaginiative man often misunderstood by the world. Truly, "the world was never meant for one as beautiful" as he.