Mark Tibshraeny
Mark was many things in his all too short life, a model son, a loyal brother, a true friend and a family man. His intelligence was captivating and his sporting abilities were always a pleasure to witness. Mark was one of the very best.
A poem by Rudyard Kipling called The Thousandth Man tells the story of the virtues that separates one man in 1000 from all the rest. Mark was that man.
He was possibly the most engaging person anyone would have the pleasure to meet, so much so that he often kept friends and family waiting while he met new people and took the time to find out more about them. As frustrating as this may have been, one could not help smile once he returned claiming innocence and that he was in fact the one captured and held up in conversation.
If ever there was a diffusing smile then Mark had it. If we all had to sketch an image of Mark based on experience, it would be him with that trademark and characteristic smile, more often than not a precursor to his youthful laugh. Mark was a Virgo. In fact, Mark was an excellent Virgo. He perfected the art of being a perfectionist. Mark was also a hoarder and one for one there is no doubt that he has amassed more memorabilia, artifacts and random things than any flea market in South Africa could boast.
Perhaps the only pastime that he paid more attention to than collecting random things, was his dedication to eating things that nobody else would. Through these acts he managed to acquire a taste for things from sheep heads to chicken feet to the digestive tracts of any unfortunate bovine. As strange as it may seem, he truly enjoyed these revolting delicacies!
Mark was an extremely committed, competitive and ambitious man and he didn’t suffer fools which often pushed his tolerance and patience to the limits. He was always fair though and always wanted the best, more often than not for the benefit of others. We truly benefitted. It’s fair to say that Mark’s mind was permanently preoccupied with ways to improve things of others. He called it OCD but it was merely his way of expressing love and consideration for others.
Mark loved with all his heart and he dedicated his life to those that he held dear and this is why our loss is so devastating. He would do anything for those that he cared about and no task or request would be turned down regardless of any inconvenience to him. He was a leader and, more importantly, a teacher. He taught us true values and real sentiments, he taught us to respect one another and to seek answers by empowering others and respecting their lives and experiences. Mark taught us the value of friendship and how to do it right.
If ever there was a living monument that we could all visit to pay our respects to him it would be in the form of two beautiful and delightful children James and Nina. Mark’s obsession with getting things done right has paid off and paid off handsomely. The challenge to us all now is to keep them on the right track so that they build on the platform Mark and Jacqui created. Mark would want that.
We will forever be left with more questions than answers but because of Mark, we have a rich source of memories to see us through. He gave unconditionally and he always encouraged growth and perseverance and through his selfless acts we all better people. Mark loved us and loved us uncompromisingly. We loved him in return and will continue to do so because he lives in us and with us.
We stand here today united in grief and we will always stand together as beneficiaries of the life and times of an extraordinary man.
Rest in peace Mark, may your journey be as beautiful as your company, may your memory be as treasured as your friendship was and may you shine down on your children as you did among us.
All our love now and always