Tribute

MARCUS CAMERON SWEENEY
January 20, 1936 – December 11, 2009

Mark passed away peacefully at home from pancreatic cancer with his wife, Connie, and sister, Sharron, at his side. He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Frances Sweeney. He is survived by his loving wife, Connie, his son, Doug (Audrey) and grandchildren, Bethany, Breigh and Aislinn; stepchildren Anne (Glenn) and Donald (Michelle); his sisters, Sharron and Carol (Glen) and nieces and nephew Angela, Hilary, Kathleen and Cameron; great nephews, Tomio and Sam; and Connie’s parents Laurence and Alice Morrow.
Mark became a traveler early in life as his dad was a member of the British Columbia Provincial Police and they lived in various communities in coastal and northern B.C. before returning to Westholme. Mark started his working career stocking shelves and doing deliveries for the family business at the Westholme General Store. At age 18 he joined the Canadian Air force as a radar technician and was posted to Quebec. He later transferred to the Military Police and was posted to Lahr, Germany. He took advantage of this posting to travel throughout much of Europe with many trips to Scotland, the homeland of his beloved grandmother, Jean Cameron. As Mark had a quick ear for languages he was made the liaison between the military and local police in Lahr.
Upon returning to Canada he served in Ottawa, Edmonton and Esquimalt – retiring in 1983 with the rank of Sergeant.
Having spent so much of his life on the move, Mark happily settled into the home he designed and built in Westholme where he and Connie enjoyed 25 contented years.
Before his health deteriorated he enjoyed fishing, hunting and the serenity of the woods. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Mark was a very private man with a quiet but strong sense of honour. He had a special love for his pets especially Maudie, Simon and Jesse.
Throughout his long illness it was his steadfast desire to remain at home. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to the dedicated and compassionate nursing and home support staff who made this possible. We could not have done it without them.
There will be a private family burial in the Westholme cemetery. A gathering to celebrate Mark’s life will be held at the family home, 8601 Sweeney Road, Westholme, on Saturday, December 19, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers a donation in Mark’s memory to the Cowichan SPCA, 7550 Bell McKinnon Road, Duncan, BC V9L 6B1 would be appreciated. Online Condolences may be offered at www.hwwallacecbc.com
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And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.