Mark Waeghe

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died December 12, 2022

Gladstone, MI

Mark L. Waeghe, age 67, of Gladstone, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Monday, December 12, 2022 at UP Health Systems in Marquette, MI.

Mark was born February 8, 1955, in Escanaba, MI, the son of Louis “Butch” and Betty (Sinnaeve) Waeghe. He attended and graduated from Gladstone Area Schools Class of 1973. He furthered his education at Arizona State University and graduated Suma Cum Laude in 1979 with his Business Administration Degree. He was employed with Technology Training Corporation in the international marketing division with assignments in Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Singapore, London, Sydney, and Mexico City.

Mark was subsequently employed with the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua, HI and San Francisco, CA. serving as the Banquet Captain from 1991 until 2006. During this time his expertise was also used to assist with the opening of multiple new hotel venues. He eventually returned to the Ritz until his retirement in 2020.

After retirement Mark relocated back to Gladstone where he remained close to family and enjoyed spending quality time with them. He was a proud “Gruncle” otherwise known as Great Uncle. Mark enjoyed hiking, biking, traveling and cooking. He wasn’t afraid to experiment with new recipes, often creating unique culinary delights. He was also a skilled carpenter and tiler allowing him to showcase his love and affinity for architectural detail in the aesthetic homes he created, none more attractive than his current residence.

In addition to his Mother, Betty Waeghe, Mark is survived by:

3 Sisters: Sue Zimmermann of Gladstone, MI

                Diane (Tom) Berlinski of Gladstone, MI

               Joanne (Jeff) McGillviray of Kingsford, MI

Godson and Nephew: Adam (Jenny) Zimmermann

Additional Nieces and Nephews: Marisa (Matt) Marek, Grace (Ben Bures) Zimmermann, Jake (Holly) Berlinski, Jared (Kate Wardle) Berlinski, Ryan (Sadie) McGillviray, Kyle (Sarah) McGillviray

Gruncle to Haley, Ethan and Juliette Marek, Evan and Violet Zimmermann and soon to be baby McGillviray.

Special Cousin Ann Weber

And many friends all over the world

Mark was preceded in death by his Father, Brother-in-law: Mark Zimmermann and Partner: Bernie

Family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A memorial service will take place following visiting hours at 1:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A luncheon will take place at the All Saints Church Parish Hall after services. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Waeghe family.

Link to Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84640595813?pwd=Snl3N0hTV0RYaFZvenFtY2RlNjY4Zz09

30 Tributes for “Mark Waeghe”

    I am so sorry to all the Waeghe family. Mark was such a nice man and he has a wonderful family. I hope they can find peace. Such a stress on the family from such a stupid accident from a fall as I have went through simalar with my sister last year. May god help you to heal. My prayers are with all of you.

    Mark was truly an amazing man of many talents. I had the pleasure of knowing him through my spouse when we first met in San Francisco. They were work mates at the Ritz Carlton. I have fond memories of building a cabin together, really it took a village, in the area near the Russian River in California. Mark bought it and took a rickety old building down to the foundation and rebuilt it with design and taste to a magnificent getaway. His eye for detail, his skills and his daring and adventurous spirit to take on new challenges, will always be a “Trade-Mark”. Mark also had a generous heart, and rapier wit, and he loved his family and home. His return to Gladstone, his transformation of the home he bought there, and his desire to retire near his roots, is a testament to his down-to-earth, quiet and earnest soul. He will be missed, gone too soon, but leaving treasured memories behind.

    To Mark’s family, your loss is great, and your grief is shared by so many who knew Mark. For 5+ years I worked with Mark at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco (!991-96) in the Banquet Department. His integrity, humor and kindness was an immediate draw. His joy in restoring his home to a fantastic glory was amazing to hear and see. Know that Mark’s memory will be cherished for a long time. My prayers are with you all, and all who love Mark.
    –Dorthy Nielsen

    such a surprise to read about your son Mark’s passing tonight in our obituaries. my computer has been having problems and unable to use it until now. I know he was returning HOME but I never did meet him. my deep sympathy to you and your family.

    Sending my sincere condolences to Betty, Sue, Diane, Joanne, & family.
    So sorry for your loss of Mark.
    My thoughts & prayers are with all of you.

    ~Cheryl Kalishek Bernard

    It was devastating to hear of Mark’s passing. Mark and I worked together at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and became friends and later roommates for almost 20 years. He was a kind and loving man, a great friend and will be forever missed by all who had the pleasure to know him. My condolences to his family.

    Dear Betty & Family,

    What comes to mind when thinking about Mark is that he was always a kind individual. He was always game for anything and he taught me to not be embaressed about doing something…just do it. I always kind and gentle person. So sorry for your loss.

    Mary & I are living in the same home that you and Butch and family lived in for several years. I have fond memories of Mark, you and the girls from earlier years.

    May God heal you in this sad time.

    Tony & Mary Van Damme

    I am forever grateful that I was able to reconnect with Mark over the past year on my trips home to Gladstone. It was great to see the talented and accomplished person he had become. He was always gracious, kind and considerate and I will miss him dearly as will everyone who knew him. My sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to his Mom, Betty and sisters, Sue, Diane and Joanne.

    My deepest sympathy to the family of Mark Waeghe. I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. May Mark Rest In Peace. God bless.
    Love,
    Beth Farragh

    I knew Mark for nearly 40 years.
    First met when working with him in London in 1980’s,and Bernie.
    We became friends very quickly, sharing same sense of humour.
    Over the years we visited each other many times and I watched his work on houses in Russian River and Portland.
    The plan was that I should visit Glad
    stone in 2023.
    He was always there for me and I was there for him.
    He was like a 2nd brother and recently with WhatsApp we spoke nearly every week.
    Still hear his voice and wait for a call!

    May he rest peacefully even though he has left a huge gap in all our lives.
    We were lucky to have had his friendship.

    My deepest sympathy to the Betty, Sue, Diane, Joanne and Families. I was so sorry to hear this and will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers!

    I met Mark almost 40 years ago when I worked with him at TTI/State of the Art.
    We became good friends pretty fast and he visited me here many times.
    I also visited him at Russian River and Portland…all work in progress houses!
    The plan was for me to visit new home in Gladstone in 2023

    He was a great friend and always there for me.
    He was my 2nd brother and we spoke very often and WhatsApp made it even easier.
    Still expect to hear his voice..
    RIP
    Lots of love
    Joanna

    Sending sincere condolences to Mark’s family. I will always remember his kindness to me as we worked together on a few events. He was such a very nice man! I will pray for him and his family. He will be missed!

    Dear Betty, Sue, Diane and Joann and all of your extended families, I am very sorry for the loss of your son and brother, Mark. I had heard that he had a fall and was hoping that he could recover. You have our sincere sympathies and we hope that God can provide you some love and peace to comfort you. I would have liked to attend the visitation and the service yesterday, but I developed a cold late in the day on Sunday, and I though it would be best to stay away so I didn’t pass anything on to others at the funeral home.

    May God bless you and keep you in His care.

    Tom and Irene Waeghe

    Gonzalo and I are grieving Mark’s untimely passing from Argentina. Mark was one of our favorite people in this world, and we had the pleasure to be with Mark often in the San Francisco Bay Area, for dinners, for bike rides, and for other events. We always enjoyed Mark’s humor, his no-nonsense Midwestern view of the world, his generosity, and his moderate and practical political views.

    We know that Mark is now in a better place.

    Our heartfelt condolences for Mark’s extended family. He always spoke fondly of his family, and we had the pleasure of meeting some of his family on visits to California.

    We love you deeply, Mark.
    You will be missed every day.

    Rick and Gonzalo

    Dear Betty, Sue, Diane and Joanne and the rest of the Waeghe family members –
    It is with the heaviest of hearts that we write this remembrance of our beloved friend Mark. From the moment I met him at work over 30 years ago, it was an instant connection. He affectionately became known to us as “our brother from another mother”. Not only was Mark the kindest, most considerate, and thoughtful man, he was smart, talented, handy and had a natural curiosity about so many things. As others have noted, he was always up for a challenge, nothing ever daunted him, whether it be a recipe or completing the AIDS Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. His work took him around the globe and with that came the accumulation of friends and colleagues from near and far as evidenced by the various tributes above. We will never forget his laugh or smile or his wicked sense of humor. He was taken from all of us too soon. Our deepest sympathies for your loss.

    Mark’s passing is so upsetting. He was always such an upbeat person with a fun personality . The altar flowers in St. James Episcopal Church, Eufaula, Alabama, on December 18th were dedicated to his memory. My prayers are with his family.

    Mark was truly amazing. He was talented, generous and witty. I am so grateful to have known him and so sorry he left us so early. All my love to the family. He will be dearly missed.

    His tone and demeanor embodied the Ritz Carlton experience. His generosity and love for his family, changed the course of my life forever. Working at the Ritz SF with everyone was an experience like no other. I’ll never forget navigating that steep driveway on the river, to hang out with friends in the most beautiful little cottage I had ever seen. Thank You Mark, for all the opportunities to improve ourselves…

    Glen Blanchard and Karl Walters – Vancouver, WA

    Karl and I can’t believe he is gone. I met Mark in early 2000s after he moved to Portland OR. We bonded over a love of good and bad sci fi, quirky sense of humor, wine and home remodeling. He was a wonderful man and a steadfast friend. I am so glad we had a chance to visit his home town last year and see his new home. I loved seeing the remodel projects he had completed and what was to come. We also enjoyed meeting his Mom and sisters, whom he spoke of often and lovingly.

    Rest in peace my friend knowing you were and are loved by your family and friends from all over the world.

    Dear Sue,
    I’m so sorry for the unexpected loss of your brother. From what I’ve read, he must have been a pretty awesome man. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.

    I am shocked and saddened by Mark’s untimely passing. There is a hole in my heart by Mark’s death. Mark was a wonderful and kind man and knowing him for almost 50 years has made my life better. We met at a theater troupe just before both of us moved to Phoenix and ASU. We have had years of adventures and laughter- lots of laughter.
    Mark always spoke very highly and lovingly of all of his family.
    May all of your memories be a blessing to you at this sad time.

    Sue, Extremely sorry for you and your family! It’s so hard to lose a loved one, especially this young. You are in my thoughts and prayers! ❤️

    My deepest condolences to the Waeghe Family and all of Marks many friends around the world. I am heartbroken Mark has passed away so unexpectedly. I admired and respected Mark from our time working together @ the Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Francisco.
    I will cherish my memories with Mark ❤️

    I send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

    Dinners with Mark were special because he was always so happy to see you. He had a soft spoken and gentle way about him. Quietly listening. I will forever remember his wit, humor, and genuine kindness.

    I’ll miss those world famous lemon bars. Thank you for all the memories.

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