Following his graduation from John F. Kennedy High School in 1977, Mark enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and took basic training at the Marine Corps recruit depot in San Diego. He continued to serve in the Marine Corps reserves after basic training and worked on helicopters as an avionics electronic specialist.
Mark was honorably discharged with commendations for conduct and marksmanship. He was always grateful for his Marine education and experience.
Mark was a diamond in the rough and was multifaceted. He had a great sense of humor and a love for dogs, especially for his "fur baby" Maddie.
He was an accomplished student of Karate legend Chuck Norris, advancing to the level of green belt while still in Junior High.
Mark enjoyed classical music and once played the violin. He also was a fan of hardrock and the bands Queen and ACDC.
Mark was a coin collector and a metal detector enthusiast, often searching for buried treasure in parks, school yards, fields, or the beach. He was an avid fisherman of lakes and oceans, he taught his little brother how to fish. He also enjoyed the time he went salmon fishing in the ocean outside Eureka, CA.
He was an amateur astronomer and had a great knowledge of the galaxy and beyond.
Mark diligently viewed Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" series. His Uncle Bob will always remember when he and Mark viewed the rings of Saturn together through Mark's telescope. On clear nights in Ventura, neighbors would find Mark out with his telescope and they could get a firsthand astronomy lesson. Several friends gathered for a "Mars Party" when the red planet was at it's peak for viewing. Mark was in his element that night. Sharing his "toys" and knowledge brought him joy. When we all now gaze into the clear night sky, look for the bright light of Mark, smiling from a star that he makes bright.
He was always eager to learn. He took classes at Ventura College. He especially enjoyed his political science and biology classes. His Marine Biology class took a field trip to the tide pools. Mark was the first to identify a small octopus. The teacher offered a challenge to the students. If anyone could catch the octopus, they would get an "A". Mark immediately went for it and in an instant was holding up the creature.
Mark supported the Friends of the High Tech Center for the Disabled at Ventura College and served as a volunteer. During this time he took classes to learn Braille. He was also awarded various service awards in his volunteer work with College United Methodist Church.
Recently he began to share backyard birding with his wife. He would have his binoculars on hand to watch visitors to the birdbath and bird feeder.
Mark had a strong work ethic. He once gained the nickname "Master Cylinder" aka Mark Selander.
At the time of his passing , Mark was employed by Frontier Communications. He worked in the Santa Paula, CA Central Office as an equipment maintainer.
Mark will be greatly missed by his family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. He is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years, Karen; his mother Marie Makoski of Las Vegas NV; brothers Martin Selander of Long Beach CA and Matthew Sjoquist of San Diego CA. Father-in-law, Maynaard Blackwood of Knox City, MO; brother-in-law Mark Blackwood of Eureka, CA; and sister-in-law Deana Blackwood of Santa Barbara CA.; his Uncle Robert Makoski of CT, and several cousins.
Memorial services are pending.
To honor Mark's memory, please make donations to the Humane Society of Ventura County, hsvc.org.
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