John was a dear friend, and I miss him terribly. He was responsible for organizing the best New Year's Eve/ New Year's Day holiday I ever had - one I will never forget and for which I will always be grateful. He was a special person who passed much too young.

Shared time with John on the 🏀 basketball court in high school...he treated me like a little brother...ran into him on the streets of Penticton in 1977...always a friendly guy...saw him last...in May of 2017 at a high school reunion...same friendly big hearted guy I met in high school.
Feel sad he is gone...and richer for having known him and sharing life memories with him.
RIP my friend!

Blue and I were dear friends for a very very long time. He was the tennis pro at LOR when I first met him. We  enjoyed so many good times together . He told me not too long ago these days were among the best in his life , playing tennis followed by great dinners and good wine were his very words .We thought those days would never end . 
Blue  loved tennis but paddling became his passion. We were lucky to paddle together many times . Blue visited us in Cabo a few times . He was such  a great guest I cried when I left him at the airport. 
 Blue had a big heart . We knew him well. He took this illness with great strength and determination never wanting to bring anyone down with his illness. 
That is truly admirable . During his last few months he became at peace with God .
This was an incredible journey for him and he accepted his fate wholly. 
We will miss his swagger and his Big laugh among many many other things . 
He was a truly special man I loved dearly. 


Diane and I were so saddened to learn of Blue’s passing. Blue was a good friend of ours for 32+ years and our visits to the Okanagan will never be the same without spending some time with our good friend. Dave has fond memories of playing social and tournament tennis with Blue and our tennis group of so many years.  We 
enjoyed so many gatherings out at Lake Okanagan Resort -where Blue initially taught some tennis in the summer of 1986 while studying for his C.A. degree.  We always looked forward to coming to the sunny Okanagan and getting together to play some tennis, share a meal together or go for a round of golf.  We’ll miss the lively political discussions and Blue’s deep, hearty laugh.  You are deeply 
missed Blue.  Rest in peace and God bless our good friend. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Blues’ family. 
David and Diane McKeen
Dawson Creek, BC

I just found out of Blue’s passing today. How incredibly sad. Blue and I were friends in Banff. I have such fond memories of playing tennis together and many social events with Blue. My favorite memory is the year we went out for Halloween together as the “Jolly Green Giant and the Little Green Sprout”. At 6’5”, Blue was the Giant (complete with green tights and all) and at 5’2”, I was the Sprout.  It was such fun! I will always remember Blue fondly xox

We are very sorry and deeply moved to hear of John’s passing. 
We keep a wonderful memory of our diners at home and our conversations and debates about very important topics concerning some of today’s sensitive challenges faced by society and human kind.
We will always remember John’s sharp and a deep sense of investigating, inquiring and his open mind to new challenging ways of thinking. 
On top of that, he had a fine taste for French food!
Our sincere condolences to all his family. 
We will miss him,
Bernard and Charlotte

Sorry folks - this type of thing is not my strong suit. Should have posted notes with each picture for others information.  Posted pictures of some happy occasions with John and friends as well as John as a high school sportsman (football & basketball) from Blakelock H.S. yearbook. 
Kindest Regards.


To family and friends of "Blue" John Marks , my condances.
My friend and roommate in Banff and Vancouver.
One memory is when I poached fresh crab and we had a crab feast at Blue's apt. in Kitts, Vancouver where many of our friends gathered. 
I had the pleasure to have spent 2-3 weeks with Blue in Kelowna at Brookhaven.
You will be missed my good friend!! RIP
Jeff Hughes


I am very sorry and saddened to hear of Blue’s passing. A wonderful, kind and generous guy, always ready for a good laugh and a good debate.
My sincere condolences to all his family, especially Brenda, Dave, Chris, Blair and Rachel. May your memories of Blue bring you some comfort in the days to come.
All the best- Mary Anne

Blue and I were roommates in Vancouver in the 80’s. Played a lot of tennis and backgammon which he usually won at both. Had many laughs at both of our expense , shared some great meals and always had a great story. We spoke in November, reminisced and said our good bye. RIP my friend. H

John was a great cousin and more like a brother to me.  He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.

John was a very kind & caring person.  His smile lit up the room.  
So very sad.

Lorrie Clark xox

John, better known by some as "Blue", was a dear friend from high school. Not long before he passed, we reminisced about the New Year's Eve we spent in Las Vegas, which was the best one I've ever had. 
I will miss him.
Glenna

I believe that I was John's first Ontario friend - I still remember his first day at Blakelock High School (Oakville). He was standing in the hall across from the cafeteria in his buck skin coat & cowboy boots - I walked up and said hello. We have been good friends ever since, lived together at university and then afterward in Kitchener while working The Great West Beef Co. We shared over 50 years of friendship. I will miss him very much, as will all his Ontario friends. 
RIP

OBITUARY

John Franklin Marks

February 6, 1953 – January 18, 2020

First Memorial Funeral Services

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