I sit here in a beautiful house on the Sea of Cortez and miss my best fishing...no really my best friend.
My father passed away yesterday on the big blue of this sea we loved. While fishing he fell overboard on one of his good friends boat. The doctor here said he had a small stroke but in reality he has had many health issues for several years and falling overboard just may have led to the inevitable.
So I sit here in this house where most often there is laughter, huge lies of fish catching and just good fun. I ask myself why should I post this? No one here really knows me here. I have never met one of you. So in truth I really don't know why?
My father taught me how to fish. Me at 5-6 years old fishing large mouth bass in Florida, to living in Seattle catching salmon and steelhead when I was 8-11 then to So Cal at 12 where he showed me fishing the type of fishing I truly love. I went on my first long range boat at 15 and after that I was hooked. So together we fished a vast area for different types of fish but that is just the beginning of a long story, way too long to state here.
The first time I went to Baja, of course with him, it blew So Cal fishing out of the water so to speak. So much so he retired on the sea he loved so much.
So I find myself sitting hear in a quiet house with only the sounds of a blowing fan as I post this and a cat meowing at my feet waiting for her owner. The identification was not fun and I don't think this is the place to talk about that. It's Baja so I'm sure you get the idea.
I have to answer many e-mails before I can sleep tonight, if that happens.
Like I said no one here knows me and I don't know why I posted this but I just needed to say something.
Anybody looking for a great house and a hungry cat?
Sorry to hear this. Not an easy thing for any one... Jeff
Very sad. Sorry to hear of your loss of your Father, fishing friend and mentor.
Wishing you strength for the difficult days ahead.
My deepest sympathies to you and yours Mark, post away if it helps. I hope the pain your feeling now melts over time and leaves all the good memories you shared with your Dad. Sheridan
Mark,
I'm Sorry for your loss.
I lost my father many years ago, but I think about him every day.
My deepest condolences,
Daron
Sorry to hear of your loss of your father.
Mike
U.K.
A sad day indeed - I'm sorry for your loss Mark - Chris.
My deepest condolences, Mark.
Sal
So sorry for your loss, Mark.
I hope you can find a small bit of solace knowing he was doing what he loved.
My condolences to you and your family, and thank you for entrusting us with such a personal situation.
Best
Dom
My deepest sympathies Mark.
The loss of anyone that close is hard to swallow. Even more so when its someone you look up too and your best fishing buddy.
Wishing the best to you and your family, .. Lou
Mark
So sorry to hear of the loss of your father.
True, we have never met, but many of us can relate to the pain and sorrow you now feel.
I think it can be helpful to share, and I agree 100% with Sheridan.......post away if it helps.
Sorry again Mark, stay strong.
Brett
I'm so sorry to hear this Mark. It won't be easy.
Take good care of yourself and family.
Steve
Sorry for your loss.
Scott
My condolences.
Mark
Sorry to hear of your loss.
joel8080
Mark, sorry for your loss .... Rusty Old Colt
A very difficult time; glad you posted; just talking about things like that can help.
Most people would have said my Dad (RIP) was very reserved, but he worked hard and had time for me as a kid with Little League, Cub Scouts, camping and, yes, even a little fishing. We got in the habit in later years of having a good long phone conversation every Sunday night; talked about a lot of stuff we had never talked about before, and after his death, I really, finally, discovered what missing a person you truly loved can mean. I think maybe you feel a little the same way, so keep your memories close for they can be priceless.
Frank
hey Mark, amigo.
sending you a really big and strong hug buddy and of course my condolences, you have plenty of nice stories to share about your daddy with your sons and more relatives and that house and that cat surely will be part of more stories soon.
take care buddy and stay strong.
My deepest condolences.
It may be a cliche but, your father passed doing something he loved, with a friend he made, on a sea that he had grown to love. Very few of us will be so fortunate. Your memories of him will live on in your mind and your heart.
Indeed. A huge personal loss, and for many a deep pain that disapates slowly, but never goes all the way away.
I've never met anyone here in person, but the beauty of this ohana section is that there's a fishingperson's connection and posting about family events feels like a right/good thing to do.
Any photos of Dad you can post?
A very sad day. Thoughts are with you.
Brendan.
Sorry for your loss Mark.
True, we have never met, but we are a family here.
Tom
Condolences Mark, you were very lucky to have such a good relactionship with you Father, you will have many good memories, I lost my father in 2004, I still think of him every day, the world keeps going around, stay positive mate, & good health to you & your family in the future, cheers Don, time is a good healer.
Mark, through your postings and mentioning you and your Dad's fishing adventures in Loreto, I feel like I know you both. Please accept my condolences and as Dom said I hope you find some consolation in that your Dad was fishing when he passed. All my best to you and your family. Dominick
Mark,
My deepest sympathies. There are no good words-only good thoughts.
My condolences to you and your loved ones. A most difficult time indeed but it sounds like your dad got to leave on his own terms, doing what he loved. Post away anything that you want to get out, were hear and we're listneing. We're all brothers.
Sorry for your loss Mark.
Dom said it well and I can only agree, "I hope you can find a small bit of solace knowing he was doing what he loved."
Thanks for sharing too - honest fraternity is the lifeblood of this little community.
My sympathy and best wishes are with you.
Justin
I'm very sorry for your loss Mark. If there can be any bright side to this; he died doing exactly what he loved doing. I'm not sure any of us can ask for anymore when our time comes. It sounds like a fitting end to a life well lived. May your father rest in peace.
-Mike
Sorry for your loss. Remember the good times.
MHDSRIP.
Terry.
Condolences to you and your family.
John
Condolences to you and your family.
Sorry to hear of your loss, my condolences to you and your family.
My deepest condolences. Everyone who's lost a loved one knows how much it effects you. Losing a parent, who's been there for you through your life, must be very painful. Yet, past all the sadness it brings, there are moments, stories, memories, everything that made you who you are today, and everything your dad gave you through those times. I know it can never numb the loss and the pain inside, but letting those good memories push through and remember all those good times, can ease some of the pain, and make it somewhat better - at least for some time while you relive those moments.
Wishing the best for you and your family.
Jon,
Norway
Mark,
I am sorry for your loss, there are no words to express the feeling of losing a parent. We are going to pass one day and go back to our maker but it takes time to accept it, heal and work through the emotions of losing a parent. I took me a while to work through my dad's passing.
Prayers for you and your family, take care of yourself.
My deepest condolences —
Your father helped to make you what you are today.
You can both be proud.
All the Best,
Fred
Mark,
I can't understand fully how you feel, but my heart hurts just reading this.
I know what a great influence and friend my own father is and the thought of losing him is unbearable.
I'm praying for you Mark.
*hugs* Mark I am so sorry for your loss.
The only bright that I can find in how it happened is that he was out there, doing what he loved.
My dad passed in a senior rehab facility in hospice...and it pains me to this day, seeing him so sad.
Pet the cat and take him home for now until you can find a safe place for him?
Focus on all those good times....they will help get you through this.
Thank you to everyone that posted or sent me a PM. For me it does help, maybe just a bit but like I said I needed to say something and your responses are very nice.
Mark, thanks for sharing the pics.
Its great to hear from you. Wouldnt be right around here with out you... Jeff
I'm sorry to hear about your father, he taught you what he could. I'm glad you got along so well.
Time heals, 🐠 fishing might be good therapy? I wish you and your family the best for the future.
Nice fish! Bet you have a fond memory of sharing a plate of that Mahi with your pops.
Stay well and keep your head up,
Dom
Mark, sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad! My prayers go out to you and your family!
One more