08/17/08 at 01:01 PM
Comments:
It was good to see you at the auction last night. I had no idea
about Mark. What an awful shame. I remember meeting him one night
when we were sitting on the porch there and he stopped by. You
introduced us and he started telling stories about lobstering.
My husband couldn't wait to buy the book. I think he read it three
times.
Mark seemed like a very nice man. I am so sorry. I hope his book
does well. The pictures on the web site are great. Best wishes
and congratulations for helping him to live on through his book. |
08/04/08 at 11:49 PM
Comments:
Hello, I was one of those who stopped Mark on the street. I
told him how much I loved his book and you could tell it made
him happy to hear that. I had a hard time putting the book
down. I also will miss seeing him on the streets of Gloucester. So
sad. |
07/25/08 at 08:56 PM
Comments:
I first met Mark in February or March of this year (2008). I
was having dinner at the bar at Halibut Point Restaurant in Gloucester
while Mark was chatting next to me. In passing, I asked if
he was a fisherman.....he quickly replied that he had been, but
now was writing. When I asked what he wrote, he told me about
the Sheep and told me to go to Amazon.com to buy it. I spoke
with Mark on many occasions at Halibut Point from then on. It
took several weeks to receive a copy of his book and he told me "If
you don't get it by the next time I see you, I'll give you two
free copies of it. By the time I saw him again, I received
my copy and told him how much I was enjoying reading it. Unfortunately,
I have little time to read, but it was very hard to put his book
down.
Since I don't live in town, I heard about his death while 30 miles
offshore on a Yankee Fleet fishing party boat. The mates
were speaking of books they had read and I asked if they had read
Mark William's book. They of course had indeed read it and
said "You know, he died last week, don't you?".........Needless
to say, I was extremely shocked and disappointed that I would never
again get to chat at dinner with him. I actually had
the book with me on that fishing trip......to read while traveling
to the fishing spot.
I have finally finished reading the book and enjoyed every minute
of the time spent doing so.
Mark.........you surely will be missed!
And to his family........So very sorry for such a premature loss.
And Kathleen............My heart truly goes out to you.....You
must be quite a woman. |
| Denise (Leavitt) Penta |
Email |
07/21/08 at 08:44 AM
Comments:
As a former resident of Gloucester, I stood where the 2nd bridge was
once situated. I admired the scenic beauty and looked down
to see a rat jumping from rock to rock. My spiritual high was interrupted and
I chuckled to know where there's yin, there's yang. I turned to
see a man sitting in a truck behind me and walked over to
share my chuckle. As I spoke with him, I realized he looked familiar.
I introduced myself and he likewise. I knew his brother as a teenager
and now learned about him. We chatted for quite awhile because
he gave me a synopsis of his adult life which led into his newly
published book. I left with a signed copy. I was one
of those folks he said, "Read it and if you like it send me
a check afterward and provide some feedback."
I read the book and was delighted with the details, humor and education
in print. I shared the book last year with Michael Tougious, another
author and lecturer of 16 books, many that dealt with situations
on the seas.
I was home visiting family mid-May and saw him as he was going
into his mother's home and mentioned that Michael Tougious wrote
to me and said he enjoyed Mark's book. Back in February, Michael
tried to make contact. At that time Mark was excited and about
to call his manager to learn more about his newest business venture:
earlier his book rights had been purchased by a major director.
In June, visiting family again, I saw a thank you note from the
Williams family in the Gloucester Daily Times. As I began
to read it, my heart dropped into my stomach. I felt devastated
to learn that Mark died. It was such an emotional down to know
so much talent and future potential was ripped from us. He was
such a nice guy; his humor was quite unique and so were his experiences.
Although I did not know him so well, I felt a strong connection
to Gloucester's life experiences and I am grateful he put
his down in print. I feel the loss.
[The connection to Mark remains: Oddly, I was led here today
as I read on MSN that Rev. Moon was involved in an accident. In
my "search," on the 4th search page was the Parlez
Moi Blog. I entered the site to read : "In Memory
of Mark S. Williams." So, you see, Mark is still with us;
his energy still flows about keeping us aware. We keep
his energy and spirit alive. God blessed us.]
My condolences to Mark's family and his dear friends. He is missed. |
06/18/08 at 12:20 PM
Comments:
Oh, Kathleen, your heart must be broken. I know you two had your
ups and downs but you sure were great together. I loved Mark's
book and I loved hearing him talk about it and all his stories
from the waterfront. Who knows what he might have gone on to write.
It seems so unfair. He was a larger than life character and a hell
of a nice guy. He'll live forever through that book. God bless. |
06/17/08 at 10:27 AM
Comments:
I never knew Mark but am looking forward to reading his work.
Thanks for the link here I come from http://www.raginpagin.com |
06/14/08 at 07:13 PM
Comments:
Mark was a great guy and a good friend. He will be missed at the
MAC and around Gloucester
Harbor. He had a great sense of humor and was a great story teller. He loved
his family and
his country. Mark sweated salt water. He knew how things should be done
and didn't have
much time for the other side. I miss him. I know he is smiling down on
us all. God Bless him. |
06/06/08 at 08:57 AM
Comments:
I never knew Mark nor read his book but after reading his articles
I am impressed by his writing. The tribute to his friend John Symonds
is both well-written and ironic now. He was clearly a man who observed
the world with a sharp and sensitive eye. May he live on through
his words. Rest in peace. |
06/05/08 at 01:35 AM
Comments:
I never met Mark but had the pleasure of reading some of his book
prior to it being published. Kathleen brought it to our knitting
group that met a the community center in Rockport.We all had a
chance to skim through and read a little of it. I am an avid reader
and knew immediately that this was a book I had to read when it
was finished. I purchased the book, started to read it and stayed
up all night in order to finish it. I laughed, I cried and boy
did I feel like I was on that boat with him on that fateful day
as his life flashed before him!!!! Thank you Kathleen for sharing
Mark with us through his book!
Wherever you are Mark, do what you do best, share stories with those who have
gone before you!!!! |
| Another Gloucester reader |
|
06/03/08 at 01:31 PM
Comments:
I am in shock. I was out of town and didn't learn of this until
this morning. Mark was such a part of Gloucester I cannot imagine
him being gone. I saw him in town for years but didn't actually
meet him until the book event in city hall at Christmas. I
remember him as a warm, soft-spoken man who was very proud of the
book he wrote.
Smooth sailing, Mark. You will be missed. |
06/01/08 at 04:55 PM
Comments:
I remember Mark from that New Year's party at Jane's house because
he was so funny. When the lace lady was showing lace shirts for
men he kept making faces that really made me laugh. Later when
he was out in the kitchen everybody from the party kept going out
there to listen to him tell stories about when he was playing football
at St. Peters and he kept putting more wine in your glass whenever
you weren't looking. He was such a fun person to be around.
I read his book and liked it very much especially the part about
all the birds that landed on his boat. Sometimes I would see him
in Last Stop and he always said hello. What a terrible shame
that he is gone! I will keep him in my prayers but I know he is
in heaven because he was such a nice man. I keep thinking about
all the times he escaped dying in his book and then he died so
fast. It does not seem right. God bless you, Mark. |
06/01/08 at 09:54 AM
Comments:
Kathleen introduced me to Mark one night in Halibut Point. I bought
his book when it came out and thought it was great. I'd see him
around town and he was always friendly and loved to talk about
his book and politics. A really great guy and a big loss.
Rest in peace, Mark.
|
06/01/08 at 09:46 AM
Comments:
I met Mark in the summer of 2001 and we immediately became friends
for I had grown up in Rockport and had worked on several lobster
boats in the past. We seemed to collide around Gloucester
at opportune times where we could sit and chat. We had a minor
run-in once but smoothed it over the very next time we met. I
know he really liked my son Jeremy and he and I actually
saw Mark in Stop & Shop 4 days before his passing, asking
my son how all was going. He had a very interesting mind and
outlook and it's the simple work of God's Grace that
he got to write his book for us before his untimely death. |
05/31/08 at 01:37 PM
Comments:
In memory of my Uncle Mark,
Thanks for always taking the time in my youth to throw the
football around at family get togethers at 136 Bass. Ave. Thanks
for showing me your extensive gun collection that had my brother
Eric and I excited to start one of our own when we grew up.Thanks
for taking Eric and I tuna fishing. I am sorry about getting sick
all over your deck, but still blame you for making us cut up herring
that was well beyond it's date of expiration. Thanks for all the
awesome stories of Grandfather in his younger years, as well as
the stories about you and your brothers and all the mischief you
got into in Gloucester. Thanks for taking an interest in my children
and making the long drives to Salisbury for holidays, to my knowledge
you never missed a single one. Thanks for being so knowledgeable
on so many subjects and helping me to consider other perspectives.
Thank you for taking an active interest in my professional hockey
career and bragging to all your buddies about our superior gene
pool. Thank you for taking great care of Gram, I know you guys
took great care of each other. Thank you for writing such a great
book and tribute about Grandfather. The thing that brings me peace
today with you gone is knowing that you and he will once again
be reunited. You left all your family and friends better off because
we new you. You made a difference in my life, and judging from
the wake and funeral, in the lives of many more. I will never forget
you. We will miss you !! Say hello to Grandfather for me
......
Your
Nephew,
Bob |
05/31/08 at 11:05 AM
Comments:
I met Mark at one of his favorite haunts, the Halibut Point Restaurant,
over five years ago. His charm, intelligence, and good humour were
always in evidence, but what lingered in my thoughts and held fast
after each encounter was his passion and zest for life and, in
particular his love of Gloucester. I remember when a friend of
Mark's died unexpectantly a couple years ago and how deeply that
affected him. I can appreciate what he went through now as I try
and come to terms with Mark's passing. It is hard to believe that
I will no longer see him riding through town or parked at the State
Fish Pier, nor by the harbor at the North Shore Arts Association.
My thoughts are with the Williams family and Mark's extended family
of close friends. Fair winds my friend. |
05/29/08 at 06:55 PM
Comments:
I've known Mark for over 30 years. He was such a kind and sensitive
person - he will be missed. |
05/27/08 at 06:22 PM
Comments:
I went to Saint Peters Boys High School with Mark from 1966-70.
Here's a photo of him from the last year book. He was in NJROTC.
Scott B. Lesch |
05/27/08 at 02:19 PM
Comments:
I met Mark from being a part of the the Williams family.
He was a sweet man just like his dad. I remember him sitting
on the sand at good harbor watching the waves. God bless his
mother Betty and give her peace at heart. You will be missed. |
05/27/08 at 10:34 AM
Comments:
I met Mark in Halibut Point one night and he told me about his
book. I bought a copy and read it in two days. He was a great story
teller and a hell of a nice guy. I always looked forward to running
into him. What a loss. He really appreciated everything you did
for him, Kathleen. He always spoke well of you. I hope you will
remember how much you gave him and how much he cared about you.
My sympathies to his family and to his mother. This is a terrible
shame. |
05/26/08 at 08:52 PM
Comments:
Kathleen, during this difficult time just remember that you were
responsible for making his dream come true. As long as we knew
Mark he talked about writing but you were the one who took his
stories and turned them into the book he was so proud of. You gave
him the best gift he could have asked for. Don't forget that.
Deepest sympathies. |
05/26/08 at 11:26 AM
Comments:
This is very sad news. Mark was just developing his gift as a storyteller,
and Level Best Books was pleased to publish one of his stories
in our 2005 anthology, Windchill. He had a spare, no-nonsense style,
like the man he was. Our sympathies to Kathleen, who worked so
hard to make his book possible and then helped him promote it,
and to his family and other friends. |
05/26/08 at 08:30 AM
Comments:
Kath,
Soooooooooooooooo sorry to hear this, we will
keep him in our prayers.
Jack |
05/26/08 at 02:02 AM
Comments:
I was talking to a friend the other day and told her that I didn't
think I knew Mark. Then I went to Kathleens' website and saw his
picture.
I was never formally introduced to Mark, but had brief conversations
with him at at different times and places over the years.
He loved his work on the ocean and writing most often took
the rest. Generally, he just enjoyed life.
He wasn't a very outward person, but what I knew of him, he was pleasant.
It is very hard to hear that someone so young who wants to
make their mark in life, and persues it, is taken from us
so swiftly.
I think that he is writing and persuing his desires in his
afterlife, if there is such a thing.
God Bless you,
Fran Palmer |
05/25/08 at 09:50 PM
Comments:
So many stories left untold. So unfair. My thoughts are with
his family and friends. |
05/25/08 at 09:47 PM
Comments:
It is so sad to see someone die so young and at a time
when they are just starting in a new creative direction.
My thoughts go out to his family as they deal with their
sudden loss. |
05/24/08 at 09:07 PM
Comments:
I met Mark when I attended an author's night at Hovey House two
years ago. He seemed like such a nice man and I enjoyed the passages
he read from his book. I know he will be missed very much. He was
much too young to die so soon. My deepest sympathies.
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