Mark Jason Skraban

Mark Jason Skraban was born on August 29, 1974 in Elmhurst, Illinois, the second of five children to Ronald and Kathleen Skraban. The family moved to Florida in 1977, which is where Mark spent the remainder of his childhood. Mark was a precocious child with a love of learning and a free spirit. He taught himself to read before starting school, initiating a life-long passion for reading. Since that time, he was rarely seen without his head in a book and devoured countless literary works. He excelled at school without much effort, leaving his younger siblings big footsteps in which to follow (“oh, you’re Mark’s sibling…”). Mark spent most of his childhood playing sports, lettering in both football and wrestling in high school and earning the nickname “Big Daddy”.

Mark graduated from Wellington High School in 1992. Upon graduation, he briefly attended Pennsylvania State University with a scholarship to study Physics, but didn’t appreciate the piles of snow in Pennsylvania. Instead of continuing his academic pursuits at that time, he left the country to backpack through Europe, undoubtedly having countless adventures and gaining an appreciation and love of art. He eventually made his way back to the states where he lived and studied art for a while in Tampa, Florida. After a few years in Atlanta, Georgia, he moved to Tucson, Arizona. There, he continued to hone his artistic skills, eventually graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Arizona in 2005. While in Tucson, he opened a metal work business where he was hired to commission custom pieces, leaving behind a beautiful lasting legacy.

Mark moved back to Florida in 2008, settling in Orlando where he was better able to enjoy one of his favorite titles, Uncle Mark. He loved playing with his nieces and nephews, often thinking of great adventures with which to have with them. Undeterred by his external appearance, he was thought of by his nieces and nephews as a big teddy bear and friendly pirate. In 2010, he accompanied his friend Mark in his charity pursuit of biking across Australia. Joined by his sister, Amanda, for a period of the time, they had great adventures and made ever-lasting memories. After returning from Australia, Mark briefly lived in Ashville, North Carolina before relocating in Orlando where he lived for the remainder of his life. In addition to reading and art, he loved cooking, watching sports, and helping family and friends with household renovations and construction.

Mark died on May 13, 2018 at the age of 43 years. He is survived by his large, loving family including his parents, his two brothers, Scott and Jeffrey, two sisters, Amanda and Cara, two nieces, Adrianna and Chloe, three nephews, Christopher, Tristan, and Kaiden, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is deeply loved by his family and many close friends, who will carry on his legacy of enjoying life’s adventures.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Reading is Fundamental, https://secure2.convio.net/rif/site/Donation2?idb=146994235&df_id=5081&mfc_pref=T&5081.donation=form1&;5081.donation=form1

Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, East Altamonte Chapel 994 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701. Please view and sign the guestbook at www.baldwinfairchildaltamonte.com