Memorial services are pending. Please call Valley Funeral Home for information regarding date and time. His ashes will be spread in Ninilchik and Dryden, N.Y.
Mr. Watson was born June 14, 1959, in Cortland, N.Y. He graduated from Dryden Central School in 1977, in Dryden, N.Y. He became an Alaska resident in 1993.
His family wrote: Mark was a self-made inspired businessman, who fell in love with Alaska when he was a little boy, and when he was a grown man made his dream of living here a reality. His love of wood and the outdoors led to his interest in the furniture business, both where he grew up in central New York and here to Alaska. His demand for the highest quality in furniture-making brought the Amish people and Mark together, and bringing their quality of work to the Alaskan people was what inspired his furniture business in Anchorage.
His joy in the simple and severe good life made for a perfect match between the Amish culture and the Alaska frontier. When he wasn't working bringing quality furniture to the Alaskan people, he loved the outdoors, fishing, hiking, his dogs and his family. His wit, charm and laughter in every situation was an endearing quality, as was his urgency to have everyone understand and love what he found so majestic and breathtaking of his Alaskan home and friends he made there. He had a boyish quality of innocence that attracted people from all over the country to him. To have met him was to never forget him. His memory lives in many hearts and will be forever missed.
Mark was accompanied on his journey to see our Lord by his constant canine companion, Abbott best friends til the end.
Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Watson, in 1992, and his father, Walt Watson in 1997.
Survivors are his wife, Lori Watson; stepchildren, Robbie, Robyn and Cameron; sister and brother-in-law, Maryanne and Vlado Novosel; nephew, Marko Novosel; special longtime friend, Carol Carberry; and many other family and friends, including his beloved K-9 companions.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Mat-Su Unit, P.O. Box 431, Palmer, AK 99645, or Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654.
Source: Frontiersman, 27 April 2000
