Mark Bartlett passed away last week after long standing fights with nearly everything thrown his way the last decade. Son of Herb and Mary, loving husband to Sue, caring father to Emily, Jim, and Katie.  Corrupting influence on Moose, Trout Valley Legend, Top Gun Maverick superfan, and friend to anyone in need (true his favorite Bill Withers song). 

In his profession he went by many titles: Proud business owner, excavator, homebuilder, handyman, truck driver, community organizer, project foreman, mechanic by moonlight, collector of junk that only he could make work, iPhone therapist, association president, donor, volunteer, neighbor. Reliable and fair. An all around great guy and a good man. 

Outside his house, he is survived by his family, including his four wonderful sisters, Debbie, Cyndi, Linda, and Lisa; his giving brothers-in-law,  Tom, Ronnie, and Craig; his loving nieces and nephews,   Madison, Michael, Daniel, Ryan, Joseph, Gloria, Jacob, Laura, Craig, and Theresa; and their broods, Mark’s great nieces and nephews, many godchildren; and his beloved dog Moose Tracks Bartlett. He’s also survived by numerous other relatives, endless friendships, and, of course, the great Trout Valley community he loved so much and gave endlessly to. 

He is preceded in death by his brothers Scott and Steve, his parents Herb and Mary, his friend and brother-in-law Eddie Schippel, his nephew Kevin Zaleski, his in-laws Derek and Iris, and many more he loved and valued.  

Fate eventually catches up with us all. However, Mark is special in more ways than his ability to survive. A modern day George Bailey, his endless contributions to the community he lived in will be remembered eternally by the endless lives he touched. There is not a street in Trout Valley that doesn’t have his influence, no project he has not helped with, no digging that was done without his expertise. 

In lieu of flowers, we simply ask that you find something good in your community and take the time to invest in making it better. Parks, fens, food pantries, youth leagues, monuments, school lunch programs… wherever your heart and passion lead you. Money is great, but your time is even more valuable and meaningful. Do something about it, like Mark would. 

A Celebration of Life party for Mark is in the works, and will be later this summer.