Mark Andersen

In Loving Memory of Mark Andersen

On June 30th, another giant of a man, Mark Andersen of the Andersen family, departed from our midst.

Mark passed away peacefully following a short illness, with his wife Vi, his sister Sarah and his nephew Dan Webster by his side.

Mark is survived by his wife Vi (née Hirsimaki), after 59 years of marriage; his sons, Jeff (Mary), and Tom (Kerry); daughter-in-law, Jodi; his grandchildren, Isak, Grace, Josephine, Charlotte and Myra; his sisters, Joanna and Sarah. He is now reunited with his son Ryan and brother Joel.

Mark was born on April 29, 1943, in Parry Sound, Ontario, to Josephine and Niels Andersen.

As an inquisitive and spirited youth, Mark spent much of his early years living in Toronto, Richmond Hill, and eventually Littlewood Farm in Shanty Bay, Ontario. Alongside his siblings, Joanna, Joel and Sarah, he learned to be a hobby farmer at best. Horses were always the family’s foremost love with each child owning their own horse. They were named Blaze, Betty, Maude and Pandora.

Mark attended Shanty Bay Public School, Barrie North Collegiate, and St Andrew’s College in Aurora. At St. Andrews, he excelled in numerous activities, serving as the Drum Major of the 47th Highlanders Cadet Corps and Captain of the Football Team. He cherished his classmates many of whom became life-long friends.

During his post-secondary educational years, he followed in his father’s geological steps attending Haileybury School of Mines in Northern Ontario. Unlike many of his contemporaries in southern Ontario who were out enjoying summer social activities, Mark under the tutelage of his father, Niels, worked at mining exploration exploits in the high Arctic.

University soon followed with a need to take on the seriousness of embarking on a good career. Since Canadian mining students were being offered scholarships to attend Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, it was an excellent opportunity to get credits acknowledged at a university. Mark enrolled and subsequently, graduated with a degree in Mining Engineering.

During these busy early years, Mark and Vi were married, and together they welcomed their sons, Jeff and Tom. Armed with a degree and growing family, Mark embarked on a career that would take him across North America and around the world. Mark quickly moved up the corporate ladder working for significant mining equipment companies. He became a Professional Engineer in Ontario and Saskatchewan further enhancing his qualifications as a mining engineer taking him to distant locations like Indonesia, northern Europe, Chile, Mexico, USA, South Africa, etc. Living in the time before computer technology, Mark was at the ready to travel to far off places. A phone call and he was booking a flight for his next destination.

Mark was dedicated to his work and always there for his family. So much so, that getting a house built in North Bay and getting a cottage property near Parry Sound happened in the mid 70’s in the same year. The cottage became a constant over the years and a source of great pleasure to this day. During one of those very special summers, while the extended family was cottaging in the Parry Sound area, they learned that Ryan was born in Montreal. Mark’s family was complete.

Mark will be remembered for his quick wit, memorable one liners, and wonderful sense of humour. Always a twinkle in his eye and laughter dwelled in his soul. When we hear those catchy phrases from family and friends, the smiles and memories abound of the many fun times especially with Mark and Ryan.

Mark’s demise was sudden and too soon after losing Ryan. Both will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and never be forgotten. May they rest in peace.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 15th, 2027, at 1:00 p.m. at The Heights Ski & Country Club, located at 1106 Horseshoe Valley Rd W, Barrie, ON.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made in support of Slice of Pie Community.  https://sliceofpie.org/