I miss you

You were not happy at the end Nils,

I hope you found the peace you deserve 

You were the only one who knew how bad Fentanyl was 

You helped me get off it in 2012.  It’s gotten bad now brother. I’m clean but everyone around me is dropping like flies 

God help us all

Almost a decade clean now Nils. Thank you for your help.  

I was working Christmas Eve listening to Mark on radio talking to a gal that had over dosed and hardly able to communicate.
Mark managed to have this gal give the information needed to have 911 save her life.
It was a long time for Mark to convince her to give him the address needed.
Some time later she called Mark and thanked him for his refusal to give up on her. Mark was deeply touched and so was I.

I met you when I was dying and you gave me a chance. I never worked so hard for anything in my life. Thank you for believing in me. You didn’t get to see me really prosper though and I never got to see you relax. You told me in Burlington In 2015 you weren’t going to make it to 70 and I told you to shut up. I miss you man

I was a regular listener to Mark on CFRB the nightside show and people helping people  I was quite disappointed when he left the program very suddenly   I did follow him and his voice of reason on twitter though I was even more shocked to hear about his passing to the other side  He was a unique person. My heart felt  condolences to his family and friends

One memory. Impossible. I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for Nils and his meetings. I was to upset to go to the funeral as this has all happened so quickly. I’m at a loss for words and I send my love to all his children. He loved you guys and talked non stop about each of you. I’ll never forget how proud he was of his grandson

Jarrett and Mark's family my deepest sympathies.
Mark's friendship with me started during his first days in recovery in Windsor. We shared the
Ottawa bond. Over the years we shared many laughs and tears. We both lived in many cities
over the past 30 years, and we always seemed to find one another and catch up. Mark you were
one of a kind. Say hi to Father Paul in heaven for me.  Love Jimmy

For many years Mark led the Brentwood Support Group each Thursday evening at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church on Yonge St. in Toronto.  As the minister of the church, I often spoke with Mark about his work and calling to care for and support people broken by addictions.   His compassionate spirit and empathetic heart along with his significant base of knowledge and experience made an enormous difference in the lives of many many people.   We were sorry when he moved on a few years ago and now are deeply saddened to learn of his loss.   He was truly a wonderful human being.   Our prayers are with his family and close friends.  



On behalf of the Delaney family ,please accept our sincere sympathy  with respect to Mark’s passing.  He was truly a wonderful human being , always focussed on the goal and objective of  assisting  others with their addictions and challenges in life.  
May his soul Rest In Peace.  

I worked with Mark at CFRA in Ottawa from 1977-1981. He was talented, warm-hearted and a pleasure to work with. My condolences to his family.

In the chaos of my home, listening to Mark’s advice  on the radio was like a warm hug accompanied by plenty of education and guidance. 

When I had the courage to phone in he invited me to a meeting. Little did I know that would change my life. I gained strength and knowledge. I even went back to school and became a family addiction counsellor.  He gave me a chance to facilitate  his family circle and help others.  I started a  bereavement group for people who lost loved ones to substance related deaths.   I follow Mark’s People Helping People teachings.

Best of all, I befriended wonderful people, many of whom are life long friends.  For all the reasons above, I will always be grateful to Mark.  

Mark saved our life. He was  one of the only ones able to make any difference with my husband Mike.  Not only that he was able to provide support to the entire family.  Somehow even with all the mess going on I looked forward to attending his meetings. The people that were brought together to help each other throughout the hardest times made all the difference for us. I'm not sure where we would even be today without his help. 

Mark saved my life. He never gave up on me and always welcomed me to Brentwood Toronto group even when I was a mess. When I got sober I told Mark I wanted to work in a detox and be the first friendly face a person sees when they are feeling low. He loved the idea.  Today that is my job. Thanks for saving countless lives and your blunt honesty. Your legacy is the hope and recovery in so many lives including me. RIP. Condolences to Jerrett and the entire family. 

We were deeply saddened to learn of Nils’/Mark’s passing.   We met Mark in 2007.   At the time and for years’ afterward, he was a beacon for us, as he no doubt was for many family members and individuals in communities struggling with issues related to addiction, gender identity and mental health.   Throughout our time knowing him, Mark gained our respect and admiration by honestly sharing his experience, strength and hope.   We learned we were not alone.  Through service, Mark broadened the public’s awareness, knowledge and understanding as well as extended the conversation on issues regarding addiction and mental health.    RIP Mark.  You are gone but not forgotten for leaving us this legacy.    Our sincere condolences to Jarrett, to Mark’s family and all his friends.    We are unable to attend the service tomorrow but would be interested in attending a memorial service in the GTA at a later date if one is planned.        

My deepest condolences to Jarrett and Marks family.

I will be forever grateful to Mark for the guidance and support I and my family have received over the past 6 years. I first heard Mark on the "People Helping People" radio show on CFRB 1010. He was a  voice of hope and practical advice during a very dark time. I really miss his program.

 Through him I found out about "Habitude" a centre that my son eventually attended and that was the turning point for us. Mark became my son's sponsor and guided him through the process of getting clean and sober.  I know that without Mark we would not have my son with us  today.

Rest in peace my friend.  You have left this world a better place. I will carry your words and memory in my heart forever. 

Nils was a great soul and I will miss him.

Nils, words can not express the impact your death will have on our life and family.  You were not only a close trusted friend, you and Jarrett are family.  For all the countless conversations and endless support you give us, you will forever be greatly missed.  RIP my brother.

I worked with Mark (Nils) at CFRA in Ottawa back in the late 70's.  He was an incredibly popular announcer, always friendly and loved by his listeners.  It's been a long time since I've seen him, but I will never forget him.  My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.


Mark and I never met in person but he reached out to me a few times via social media, and we had wonderful conversations. He clearly helped a lot of people and represented the best reasons for being in broadcasting. He'll be missed. 

To Nils family and friends, I am sorry for your loss. He came to Brentwood wearing a cowboy hat and a great voice. His great gift was understanding other people and his kindness.

I was a constant listener to Mark's "People helping People" and looked forward to hearing his kind voice and caring support for the many callers and fans he had.  He had such compassion and gentleness and the rare quality of honesty during his broadcast.  My friend in Vancouver has a son going through addiction and I would share Mark's intelligent, helpful and hopeful suggestions with my friend and her son.
I am so sad to hear of the loss of such a valuable individual.
I was very very saddened when CFRB (1010) cancelled his show.  Unfortunately, no show has replaced his in the quality that Mark offered.
I know that the angels welcome Mark into their light.

Such sad news.  Mark (Nils), was like an anchor in a hurricane to many parents at a time when we had no idea where to turn.  His group showed us that we were not alone and gave us a unique opportunity to interact and hear from those who were struggling with addiction.  Many deep and long lasting friendships were formed from his group.  My condolences to Jarrett and to Nil’s family.  I often remember fondly his voice on Saturday nights at 12:00 a.m.

I Remember listening to mark back in the 80's in Ottawa with a bunch of my friend's  we would all call him to request song's from him and ask him how everything is going and he helped a friend of mine fight her addiction even though it wasn't directly through him she would listen to him on the radio    RIP mark ur voice will be missed thx mark for the memories


Many years ago, living just outside of the Akron/Cleveland area, I became a fan, both through music (I originally met "Mark Elliott" at live shows that he emceed) as well as a longtime radio listener. Tuning the dials for distant stations I heard a very familiar voice again. Several years later again on More 94. And later, very early Sunday mornings on CKLW.  A bit later, again on CK..something different as I tuned the dials- "I'm Mark..I'm an Addict..This is People Helping People".  My first insight into the subjects of what so many dealt with and suffered from.  I learned so much listening to the callers and the advice which he provided in response. It was truly things that I had only heard of, but no first hand experiences.
I followed the website and the show as it transitioned into syndication/cancellations and the move to CFRB. Sadly, the program nor the host, never got full accolades for the positives which were provided to so many.
Thanks for the friendship and the education!

I write only as someone who often listened to ‘Mark’ on CFRB 1010 on Saturday nights as he hosted his ‘People Helping People’ show. I was always struck by his ability to be utterly straightforward with his callers and always doing so respectfully and with great kindness and compassion...I am surprised at the deep sadness I feel at his death, considering I only knew ‘Mark’ through his radio show. But it is always a sad, sad thing any time the world loses a good soul, and the world has certainly lost one—and far, far too soon—with Mark’s/Nils’ passing. May his soul rest in much deserved and well-earned eternal peace...My deepest sympathy is extended to his loved ones and friends. May you too have peace in your hearts, and may his memory be a blessing to you always.

My deepest condolescences to the family of Nils Johanson. Just before Christmas, I had written to him a Facebook messenger message where I expressed how much he had touched my life as a radio personality in Ottawa when I was a child and in my teens. I had found him on Facebook and was following him. I was greatly saddened to hear of his passing because I greatly admired the man for everything he went through, changed his life for the better and how he managed to help others. I have great memories of listening to him on CFRA and CFGO (under his stage name Mark Elliot). I also had the pleasure of meeting him in person when I was a shy 14 year old at the opening of the Rideau Centre in Ottawa where I stood there speechless not knowing what to say to him because I was so impressed by this man. Of course, he was just so kind and lovely to me and it's a memory that I cherish.  Thank you Nils for those wonderful memories. I know you also helped a lot of people and that you were truly loved. 

OBITUARY

Nils Fleming (AKA Mark Elliot) Johanson

24 December, 1953 – 11 January, 2019

Hetherington & Deans Funeral Chapel

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