In 1978 Mark's family moved to Redding where he spent his childhood. Influenced by his Redding firefighter friend Don Borden, Mark decided to pursue a career as a firefighter. During this time Mark served as both a volunteer and temporary firefighter with the Redding and Cottonwood Fire Departments and the U S Forest Service. He was appointed Fire Captain in 2008 and gladly took the role of Training Officer as safety was among his highest priorities. Mark enjoyed the outdoors and animals and spent happy times with his best friend Tigger. Mark was killed on February 29, 2012 at the scene of a traffic accident, where he was struck by a truck that lost control as it passed the accident.