Mark, its been 11 long years and not a day has passed that I haven't thought of you and your untimely death. Although I should have been there at your funeral i was attending school for rescue boats and lifeboats. My thoughts often return to the nights we fished not only the isle of redondo but also the Old California when able fish were the sought after fish as was bonito and the occasional yellow fin tuna. I owe my life to ylu my best friend always, if not for you I would not have gotten my Captains license and experianced the wonders of the sea that many never could even dream about. I never met Candice or your kids and miss your mom and sister who also influenced my life as we grew from boys to men. You will always be missed and never forgotten. The blue eyed gentle giant of Manhattan/Redondo beach. Smooth sailing where ever you may be .

We would like to send our sincere condolences to Mark\'s family.  My husband has sport-fished out of Redondo Beach for years and worked on the sportfishing boats. He was second captain on the "Blackjack" for a few years.  My brother Mike Fawley, also worked on the fishing boats for years. We consider ourselves part of the fishing community and were very saddened to hear of Mark\'s death. Mark\'s death was a profound loss to all who commercial or sport fished.  We didn\'t need to know him personally to know he was a great guy. He was a fisherman afterall - can\'t get any better then that. They are the best!!  Candace, you have a large community of supporters so please hang in there and stay strong.  We wanted to pay our respects to you and your entire family.       God Bless all of you!

As family of John Mills and long time employees of Captain Kidd\'s Fish Market, Please know we think Mark was a really great guy. He would always have a smile on his face. We know he will be missed by all who knew him.   God Bless.

Dear Candace and Family,      My husband and I were deeply saddened to hear of Mark\'s accident.       I only found out after we read the article, that my husband and Mark had been  childhood friends in Manhattan Beach.  I wish we had known this while we were working together.      I never had the pleasure of meeting Mark personally, but know he must have been a wonderful person from all of the kind things his friends said about him.  A true loss indeed. The world is a better place for his time here on earth.      Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Candace, your children, and Mark\'s Mom and sister. God bless you.      Donna, Joe & Daniel Murphy

Our sincerest sympathy for your loss. My husband is also a commercial lobster fisherman. We and other fisherman in our area were so saddened to hear of Mark\'s death. Those who knew him will always remember a nice, happy, hardworking man. He will be missed. Try to draw on the love and strength of your family, your children, your friends in this time of sorrow. Our thoughts are with you.    Marilyn and Frank

Our deepest sympathy on your loss.  Our thoughts are with you.

I feel priveleged and blessed to have known Mark and had him as a neighbor and friend for several years.  He was a fine man and had many great qualities.  It was a treat to run into him whenever I was in the Beach area.  My boyfriend, Eric Olson; called me with the horrible news. Candance and all of    Mark\'s family---We\'re so sorry to hear of your loss.  We will always remember Mark for all his wonderful ways ;and for his love of the sea.  You\'re in our hearts and prayers.

A FAREWELL TO A FINE WATERMAN,     I\'m sitting in my office in San Diego reading an article for the fifth time.  My parents mailed me the article from Torrance, where I grew up, not knowing how it might affect me.  It tells of the untimely death of an old friend Mark Willey.  Allow me to go back in time to share my memories of Mark.     It was aboard the Isle of Redondo when I was a deckhand where Mark became a fixture in my life.  As a wide-eyed adolescent usually is, I was eager to know everything Mark knew about fishing.  My father lit the flame of fishing in my heart and Mark fostered it.  He was a mentor to me.  From the simplest of tasks, to know what kind of fish were crashing by the way they boiled, Mark took me under his wing and taught me much of what I know today about fishing the sea.  I spent several summers, day and night, with Mark who was a bargemaster at the time.  Mark was very talented and professional, and a significant influence on my work ethic as a young man.       This is difficult because the memories are flooding in.  Mark touched the lives of so many people aside from me.  If I may, Casey, Art and Joanne, Mike Inscore, "skeeter", Dave, T.K., Gordon King "Gordie", Adam Barry, "rockcod" James, Bacon, Warren, and our night barge scientist Arthur.  But most importantly is Candace.  Candace, no words of mine could possibly relieve the anguish in your heart.  You are deep in my thoughts and prayers.  God bless you and your family.  I am truly sorry for your loss.     I can picture Mark right now.  He\'s young, witty, and dedicated with never a harsh word spoken.  I only wish I could have told him while we had him...thank you.  Mark died without ever knowing he was a hero to me.  So instead of working on what I should be doing, I\'m going fishing.  I\'ll spend a few hours on the ocean that Mark taught me to love and appreciate.  Farewell my old friend, you are missed.  You will be with me every time I wet a line.                      Fondly,                      Jeff Reid

OBITUARY

Mark C. Willey

16 August, 1966 – 1 March, 2004

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