Mark Harold GUNTHER

at the age of 85. Mark is survived by his son and daughter-in-law,

Steven and Lisa, of Parksville;   grandsons, Michael (Mary), Mark

(Katie) and Kevin;  his beloved great-grandsons, Charles, James and

Judah. Mark is now reunited with his wife, Gloria, and son, Ronald, who both

predeceased him in 2007.

Mark was born in Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1953. When he arrived

in Vancouver after crossing the country by rail, he had 25 cents remaining.

He immediately took a job with the CPR, and spent several months working on

the railroad in Field, BC. Soon realizing that railroad work was not for

him, he returned to Vancouver and started work at the Bank of Commerce in

Downtown Vancouver. It was there that he met Gloria, and they married in

1954.

On the advice of his new father-in-law, Mark decided to leave the bank and

pursue a career in the forest industry. This proved to be sage advice.

Through hard work and business acumen, Mark became a respected and

influential executive in the British Columbia forestry sector. He held

senior management roles in a number of forestry companies, including

MacMillan Bloedel, Prince George Pulp and Paper, and Canadian Forest

Products (CANFOR). He served as the Vice-Chairman of CANFOR until his

retirement.

Mark spent the last six months of his life at Stanford Place in Parksville,

BC. His family wishes to thank the staff at Stanford for the terrific care

provided in Mark's final months. As per Mark's wishes, the family will be

holding a private service of remembrance in the upcoming weeks. In lieu of

flowers, a donation to the Salvation Army of Canada in Mark's memory would

be appreciated.