Mark, I never met you but your forum has helped me so many times.

I am shocked an speechless. RIP Mark, you left us way too early.

Why is it always the good guys who die young?


RIP.

I can`t stop crying it is awful my condolences to his family and Lynn

I think the pictures of how we all remember Mark are a lovely idea. Here's a picture that Hillseeker must take credit for.....this is how to get instant service in the pub:

It's difficult to find any words that feel appropriate since reading the announcement.

My sincere condolences to all: his fiance, family, friends and loved ones.

Many of you don't know that Mark was a very close friend of mine for the last 12 years. We influenced each other in many ways and supported each other many times. During this time Mark set a standard of expectation that approached the unobtainable, but although I sometimes fell well short of his bar, I can honestly say he never did.

I can recall a conversation with friends once when a definition of friendship was made. It went something like this, "If you had no money and no clothes whose door could you knock upon and know you would not be turned away". The first door I could think of and the only one I could name with certainty was Mark's. That, to me, certainly was proof, if I needed it, of friendship.

Mark was in many ways a free spirit, doing what he wanted to, but always there when you needed him. He was about to venture on a new phase in his life and was already planning this, his wedding, settling down to family life, new responsibilities, children, buying a house, the list was long but he approached this in the same way he did everything else, with energy, commitment and loyalty. If he had been given the chance I am sure he would have been very successful in these new challenges as he was in those he faced and conquered during his life.

I only recall him failing on one thing he set out to do. That was to demonstrate that if you only drink one small beer every half hour, then you cannot get drunk. He failed, miserably, though he was still arguing the point until he blew into an alcohol meter he carried around at the time!

Mark was also very generous, he often called me a tight wad, and gave in numerous ways to many people. Perhaps that is why his heart gave out, there was simply nothing left to give.

That Mark will be missed has been said many times by many people and I know in my case it will certainly take a long time to recover from the prospect of not meeting, not exchanging emails, not calling and not having a rock of a man to rely on in times of need.

All I can do now is two things, firstly publically give my heartfelt thanks to Lob and Gregv for all their support in numerous ways this week and secondly to give all I can to support those things nearest to Mark's heart.

Thanks Mark
RIP

Thank you all for your thoughts and memories and kind words.

Mark is the most incredibly intelligent, meticulous and generous man. It was all of these traits that I first noticed in him when we met. Ok, thats a lie, the first thing I noticed were his amazing blue eyes and dashing good looks...

I have always known him to help anyone and everyone when ever he could. Before he set up the forum he often spoke about his plans. Then one day I came home from work and there it was... online and he had already made several posts.

Back in the early days of the forum Mark and I were having debates and discussions over it due to the fact that there were no other members! Richard soon joined and and slowly, it grew. With an average of 3 posts a day to the many now it was staggering how strong and quickly the forum grew.

For those of you who have a forum or the "internet" know how, you may appreciate how many hours Mark spent creating content in order for the forum to be picked up by Google and direct traffic this way.

Soon the forum just ate up so much of his day... he wrote many add ons and modifications for this software which I know have been used by many vbulletin users. I can't say I knew half of what he spoke about with this technical stuff but he always explained it to me.

He wanted to forum to be a voice of a strong community and had a long term goal of creating awareness of our opinions to the point that he hoped that one day it would be picked up by the Swiss press. In fact, he even wanted it to achieve another wish of his, which is to gain the right to vote for foreigners living in in Switzerland and also have a political voice.

As a boyfriend, partner and husband he was much like he was with the forum, thorough meticulous and reliable. A man who honoured his commitments with every fibre in his body. His honesty and loyalty to those he cared for and to me were boundless. He taught me more than I think I could ever summarise. Without him I would not be who I am and would not have half the know how I do now.

Those who knew him recently know how much he loved his little lillykins. I have never seen such devotion as he showed to our little Lilly. I knew then that I was right on how I felt about him. His heart had no bounds, the open silliness and love he showed to her he had for me. He was the man who changed my world. I knew within the first 2 weeks of being with him that I could not imagine a life without him and I strove to make him proud in all I did.

Mark, you gave me the world, I love you forever.

I never met Mark however since moving to Switzerland 8 months ago, the EF has been an invaluable resource to my husband and I in countless ways. We are so lucky to have this resource and were always amazed that someone ran it out of their own personal interest, vs a for profit operation. I must admit I didnt know much about Mark until now, but he seems like a unique individual and someone I wish we had been able to meet.

Having been though a sudden loss of an immediate family member one year ago, one of the few comforts in the immediate time after was people telling me how much he meant to them, impact he had had on their lives etc. I hope that Mark's fiance and family take some comfort in the knowledge that he helped so many people find their way here.

Its just such a shame, and we will keep his family in our thoughts.

Thank you Mark. I am just one more person whose life has been changed for the better due to finding this forum. What is even more important than that is that the forum has enabled me to help others, and I thank Mark for giving all of us that priceless opportunity. I am also thankful that I was able to meet Mark in person a couple of times, and express my thanks while he was still with us.

There are many more sentiments that I have, but most have been shared already in previous posts and others cannot be put into words.

My prayers and thoughts go to Mark's family and friends, who I hope can celebrate the life of someone who made a wonderful difference to the lives of many newcomers and foreigners in Switzerland.

Such sad news serve to remind us that life is short, and that we should make the most of our time by doing what we love and surrounding ourselves with those we love.

Dear Mark,

the news is slowly starting to sink in. There are so many things going through my head right now. I am angry, upset, sad, that you wouldn't listen to those who loved you, who were telling you that you are taking too many risks. That you thought you could defy the dangers of this crazy and dangerous "sport". I am upset with myself that I never managed to arrange that long-outstanding dinner with you and Lynn over at our house. That we didn't get together more often. That I never told you how much our friendship meant to me.

I am absolutely devestated that I will never see you again. You were always there for me when I really needed you. Especially back in Frankfurt, but also here in Zurich.

I am going to miss your wacky stories, your sometimes bizarre opinions, your very unique outlook on life. The gold price, peak oil, your view on taxes. Those who knew you will know what I mean.

I have never met anyone who was so loyal to his friends, so true to himself, so radically honest and consequent in his actions.

I am going to miss you, buddy! God, I am going to miss you.

Jan

My condolences to Marks family and friends.

Its indeed a very sad news. My sincerest condolences to his loved and close ones.

RIP Mark

His attention to detail and his dedication was apparent in every post he made. My condolences to all his closest.

RIP

RIP Mark, you will be truly missed. Condolences to Lynn, family and friends.

I didnt know Mark but like many many others i shall be forever grateful for this wonderful site and the doors it has opened for me. Living away from home can sometimes be lonely,bringing with it insecurites and isolation,this site changed all that.

Mark,

May the Father keep His eyes on you. You are missed by all.

R.I.P.

Rest in Peace Mark. We never met, thank you though for your input into my journey in Switzerland.

Sincere condolences to family and friends.

It takes an incredible person to be able to have an effect on people one does not even know. I have never met Mark, but I can guarantee he is one of those beings. Thanks to him my preparations and transition to Switzerland has been with great ease thanks to the platform that he created. It even offered me the oppertunity to meet many new and great people.

Once again, it is your great concept that has made it possible for us Lausanne-ites to come together tonight. There is a definate 'Cheers' to you tonight Mark.