Gary Ferdinand W2CS

June 4, 2019

I am so sorry to hear of Mark's passing. My heart goes out to his family.

I really don't know where to start. Mark and I crossed paths handling message "traffic" via ham radio in the late 60s or 70s. At the time my call was WA2PJL and his WB2EAG. We both upgraded licenses and he became W2EAG and I W2CS. That was a major thing back then and Mark did well at it. For decades after that we met each other while passing message traffic on the ham "bands." He was an expert. Aspects of operating hams appreciate were all very well done by Mark and he stood out as a leader, both overtly and by setting the example.

Mark and I met at quite a few picnics held by fellow ham traffic handlers. We trekked over to Newark Valley NY for many of them. They were always special occasions, since friendships are so often cemented via personal, face to face contact. Mark was a delight to talk with.

To Mark's family: You have lost a treasure of a man. He has left his mark (no pun) on many during his life. While I knew he was a fireman, I never saw him in that role. However, if his ham radio work was any indication, he was an expert fireman, too. Please remember the good times you had with Mark, while you grieve. He will be with you forever in that context, in your hearts.

God bless. And to Mark in ham lingo, a hearty 73!

Gary Ferdinand W2CS

Chet Carruth

June 3, 2019

I handled a good bit of traffic through the Amateur Radio Traffic Nets, and Mark was a fantastic operator. We communicated many many times and a few years ago I had the pleasant opportunity to go to Raleigh, North Carolina for the Eastern Area Picnic. Mark was there and I got the pleasure of meeting him personally. I think he well deserved all the respect and recognition of an " A-1 Operator " because he truly was. He will certainly be missed by many. May he rest in peace in God's hands............. Goodbye, Mark
Chet, AB4XK

Paul R Carlos

June 3, 2019

So sorry to hear the news. My condolences to the family.

Mark and I were sometimes club mates in the NY ham community in the early '80. We both shared the avocation of message handling via Morse code. We continued contact over the years, and always, it seemed, via Morse code. It is sad to know that I shall not hear the callsign W2EAG coming through my headphones again.

Paul
K2OY
Mars Hill, NC

Rix Seacord

June 3, 2019

Mark and I shared many moments together having grown up on Arlington Rd and stationed together in the Navy for a short period. He will be sorely missed.

Will Harper, K4IWW

June 3, 2019

Mark was a great brother and friend. RIP, OM
73/ARF --- Will

Barbara Lombardi

June 3, 2019

Deepest sympathy to Mark’s family. I knew Mark for many years as a ham radio operator and he was one of the best for sure. But more importantly, he was one of the most thoughtful people I’ve known always asking about others and always informing us about those who have been ill. I will miss him very much.

Jerry Uhte

June 3, 2019

Very sad to hear of Marks Passing , i never met him personally but remember our contacts on the Hit& Bounce Net ! He will be missed by many !

Rest in Peace OM,

Jerry K9UT

Richmond, In.

Dean Sever

June 3, 2019

Saddened to loose both a amateur radio mentor and Masonic Brother. He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him and learned from him particularly in amateur radio in his excellent operation style and involvement in public service. I have known Mark for over a half century and greatly benefited from his knowledge and skill as an A1OP.

I am sure that Mark is now in "that house not made with hands, eternal in the heaven". RIP ARF Mark

Dean W8IM, A1op Club, ARF, F&AM Lodge 283

Bob Emrich

June 3, 2019

Mark was a classmate at Eastchester H S, Class of 1958. I express my condolences to Mark’s family on his passing. Although battling illness, Mark continued to keep in touch with classmates through Facebook postings. May happy memories of the past help family members and friends through this difficult time. Rest In Peace Mark

John MacDonald

June 3, 2019

Mark was a terrific, on-air friend. I knew Mark for a number of years and talked to him almost every day. One thing not mentioned here, but is a tremendous honor inside of amateur radio, is that Mark was a member of the highly prestigious A-1 Operators' Club. Only the best of the best become an A-1 operator. Mark was a best of the best amateur radio operator. He will be greatly missed. http://www.arrl.org/a-1-operator-club-roster/R

FROM THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE'S (ARRL) A-1 OPERATORS' CLUB WEB PAGE:
First organized in May 1933, the ARRL A-1 Operator Club has a proud history and occupies an important place in Amateur Radio tradition. Communications Manager Ed Handy, W1BDI, announced its formation with these words in July 1933 QST:

Are you an A-1 Operator? Excellence in stations has often been emphasized. Yet, station performance, equipment, adjustment, etc., are but part of the story. The operation of the equipment, knowledge of procedure, and general communications technique are of very great importance in determining the results of any station. To bring attention to good operating as a paramount issue, and to give it something of the importance it deserves we are this month announcing in these columns the launching of a club for A-1 operators.

By early 1934, the roster of recognized A-1 operators swelled to more than 400; by the end of 1938, to 1,000 and as of mid-2012 there are over 5,800 members of this special club! Then, as now, nominations were not made lightly. Through the years, recognition as an A-1 Operator represented an unsolicited acknowledgment of one's high standing among one's peers.

Much is said about the handful of radio amateurs whose operating practices do not quite measure up. Not enough is said about those who, by contrast, lead by example - who set the standard for others to follow. Let us correct that now. Let us honor them as A-1 Operators and in so doing, honor the best in Amateur Radio. - David Sumner, K1ZZ, CEO, ARRL

FROM THE FAMILY