An honourable man, Mark passed away on New Year’s Day. Mark was an unsung hero, assisting many people in big and small ways.
Born in Cranbrook, BC, and raised in Creston, BC, Mark was part of the Grady, Hook and Ted Staples families. The families were involved in mining, forestry, farming and reclamation of the Creston Valley—Kootenay Diking District projects. Mark was an altar boy in his youth, learning the Latin Mass and attended Loyal High School in Missoula, Montana with the Jesuit Priests.
In 1976, Mark joined the Creston Jaycees, winning spokesperson of the year & through fundraising events, he retired their debt in one year. Upon moving to Trail, BC in 1977, he was elected President of Trail Jaycees, attending the International Conference of Jaycees.
Always an entrepreneur, Mark had a store in Trail called ‘Rose Furnishings’, doing upholstery & flooring. After a move in 1982 to Victoria, BC, Mark again started his own business. In 1983, he was contracted to work on cruise ships. It was fortuitous as he met his future wife Melody Orr, vacationing with her parents.
Mark’s sparkling personality led to an invitation by Melody’s father to stay with them while on shore in California. It soon led to an engagement and lifelong love story. They married at Beacon Hill Park in Victoria on the stone bridge at Goodacre Lake. Together they built a life, welcoming two sons; Lance and Brent, who both cherished their father. Mark helped navigate his sons through the years, imparting his wisdom with hilarity and integrity.
Always a student of history, Mark & Melody were able to do some travelling. They visited Rome, as Mark’s background held special meaning to him.
Dearly missed, he left us too soon. The family is forever grateful to the palliative care team at Royal Jubilee Hospital for the dignity and grace exhibited to them all.
To honour Mark’s wishes, there will be no service.
“Love is given to us to give to one another”.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Staples” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Dave Leschert
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Torgeir Hansen I just heard about Mark passing and are so sorry to see him leave us so early.
Mark was a wonderful and Honorable person.
All my condolences to Mark’s family.
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Linda Dickson I came to know Mark through my friendship with his wife Melody, when our kids were in school at Frank Hobbs Elementary. Our youngests were in the same Kindergarten year.
Mark and Melody are both kind and good people. Both so talented and generous, helping our family in so many ways over the years. Mark would not just come to see what the problem was, that you needed help with, he would get to work that instant (on a weekend, no less) because he cared and was driven by his work ethic and values.
Mark & Melody made a great team personally and professionally. You could see how Mark was proud of Melody and his boys.
Thank you to Mark (and Melody) for his friendship and all the ways he helped our family. He touched our lives and we so enjoyed his sense of humour.
Mark will be missed and remembered.
Linda & Family
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Mary & Mike Miles and family Dear Melody, Lance and Brent. Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved husband and father. I remember Marks friendliness and sense of humour fondly. He will be sorely missed. Take good care of each other. You are in our thoughts and prayers. XO
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Sybille Wilson It is with heavy hearts that we say good bye to our longtime friend Mark and send condolences to his wife Melody, son Lance and son Brent.
They stood by his side until the last days in palliative care at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Day in and day out.
We were blessed to have had Mark in our lives. We will miss him forever.Sybille and Marlin
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Marlin Wilson Mark and I met in Trail when I was 18 and from the start we became fast friends. We rented several houses together with our friend John Mark was defined by a work ethic that began early and never faltered. He didn’t just hold jobs; he built things. As a true entrepreneur, he possessed the rare courage to turn ideas into reality, facing every challenge with a steady hand and a “get it done” attitude. Whether he was at the helm of Rose Furnishings or helping a neighbor fix a porch, he believed that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right.
But for those who knew him best, even though his professional successes kept growing, was always secondary to his character. Mark was, quite simply, a “good guy.” He was the first person to show up when someone was in need and the last to leave if there was still work to be done. His giving nature wasn’t for show; it was a quiet, constant stream of kindness that touched many lives from Trail to Victoria.
He was a true friend never faltering . His favorite saying was “endeavor and persevere “ . Losing a friend of 54 years is like losing a part of your own history. A friendship that spans more than half a century is a rare and beautiful thing. Thinking of all the lives he helped for the better he will be missed
He leaves behind a legacy of integrity and a lesson in what it means to be a true friend. He was a constant presence—a partner in mischief, a shoulder to lean on, and a witness to a lifetime of changes.
Rest in Peace Mark:
Your Friend.
Marlin Wilson
To my Friend. I miss your calls and your texts and our coffees.
Our visits, our conversations of family, and the many jokes we shared.
Thanks for all of it!
Your buddy, Dave