29 July, 1971 – 13 December, 2022
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, son, and brother on December 13, at St. Boniface Hospital, after suffering a cardiac arrest at home on the evening of December 4.
Left to celebrate his memory are his wife Mellanie; son Joshua; step-children Evan, Joel Skrabek, Trinity (Dustin), Ethan Rushton; mother Penni and stepfather Cas Churko; stepmother Cheryl Oliver; uncle Paul Renaud (Petra); brothers Bryan Churko, Mike Oliver (Toni) Oliver; nieces Tamara (Raven), Hayley, Ashley, as well as his many friends in the community and at the Canada Revenue Agency, where he worked for over twenty years.
Mark is predeceased by his father Rex Oliver; father-in-law Franz-Arno Lawrenz; cousin Roger Churko, and best friend Corey Gonske, so we know he’ll be in good company until we meet again.
Mark was never happier than when he was doing something to help his family and friends. He was an excellent cook, did a spot-on Donald Duck impression, could make up the most hilarious songs while puttering around the house or yard, and though he’d never have admitted it, was a talented singer.
Mark came to fatherhood late in his life and was a besotted, devoted dad, and gloried in his daily adventures with his beloved Joshua, truly cherishing every poopy diaper and load of laundry, every grocery shopping trip, every school engagement, every bedtime story.
We wish to thank the doctors and nurses in the ACCU at St. Boniface hospital. They did more than care for him, they loved him, and did everything they could to get him home to us, and when it became apparent that that wouldn’t happen, they wrapped him in love for the last days of his life, and treated us like family.
All our thanks as well to the numerous friends and neighbours whose help we’ve relied on over the past difficult weeks, but especial thanks to Anny Chen, without whom this ordeal could not have been borne, and Paul and Darlene from the Spiritual Care Team at St. B, whose strength held us up at the end. Chocolate is also medicine.
While it is difficult to accept that we won’t get to experience Mark turn into the epic grumpy old man that we knew he would have been, we take comfort in the fact that he was an organ donor, and his last gift has changed the lives of two Manitoba families.
A celebration of Mark’s life will take place in the summer. Mark wanted a traditional Viking funeral, and while it’s going to be hard to find an eight-legged horse in Winnipeg, we will endeavour to honour his wishes in a way that won’t get us fined or arrested.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Trees Winnipeg, a cause that Mellanie has worked with for a number of years and that Mark was always happy to support.
13 thoughts on “Mark Andrew Oliver”
I am deeply sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences. ❤
Mark helped me grow at CRA, I will be forever grateful for his support and encouragement. He was a wonderful human being and will be forever in our hearts. We all miss him!
My deepest condolences to the family.
so sorry for your loss. he was a great guy and gone too soon
So sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Mark and I had the opportunity to travel to Ottawa together for work training and he was such a blast wondering the city, he took me to the best pubs for food and beer. Joking about Mellanie and I during Baba practice, making jam. I know how special he was to Mellanie and the boys… and probably all the cats as well.
Melanie this is a such a shock. Sending love and support to you and all your family.
Mark was a funny guy, we would often trade funny cat stories and laugh a lot! Certainly gone too soon! So sorry Mellanie and family.
Mes sincères condoléances à toi et à toute la famille.
Rachid
I am so sorry for you loss !! My support to the family !!
My deepest condolances, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss.
My deepest condolences for the loss. It is always hard to see someone go, especially for younger people, but if there is one thing that has seemed to be passed down from Mark is the love, the joy and the humor, and those things can be transmitted even when you are very young.
I was Mark’s first wife. We were young learning about life and each other and how that all would work. We were married for 10 years when we divorced. I grieved the loss for a long time and I will now grieve the loss of his life. My condolences to his family. No parent should have to experience losing a child and for that I am saddened.
My deepest condolences to the family of Mark Oliver. I can relate to the loss because I’m also grieving the loss of my mom sudden passing last Nov. 23. I am thankful that Mark has been my Team Leader for a time and for that I am grateful. He was one of the first people who congratulated me of permanent position in Benefits. He will be truly missed!
I’m sorry to hear that Mark has passed. He was a great Team Leader, and a great support to me when I started with CRA.
Always funny and willing to help everyone. I only new him for a few years but he definitely made an impression.
He will never be forgotten.