July 6, 2014



	    Cousin Mark and I: knew each other as kids and I recall the fun we had  together  at  'Auntie  Shirley's' camp.  (Sadly, I also recall the shock of learning of his brain tumour.)



	    Regretably, we  were rarely  in touch as adults until a few years ago.  However,  I recall being impressed when I had  learned that he had gone to Israel, and I thought  of him often when I lived there some years later.



	    When we reconnected, I .found him to be sensitive, kind and gentle.  His cousin Edie and I had coffee with him a few times and he rejoiced in the fact  that we were all cousins.  We had to keep reminding him that he and Edie were cousins (through his mother) and he and I were cousins (through his father) but that Edie and I were not related.  With a great display of affection he'd hug each of us saying, "I love you. You're my cousin!"   It was actually quite touching.



	    When we'd drop him off at his building it was clear that other tenants appreciated him from their warm greetings and chatting at the entrance.



	     Mark visited the cemetery almost daily  after his mother died, and would often phone me to tell me he had also  visited my father's grave which I appreciated (at first)!  However, sometimes I became irritated with him because he'd call incessantly to let me know he'd been and I regret that I was not more receptive at times.  One Shabbat he called to say he'd been there and I told him, with concern,  that the cemetery is closed on Saturdays.  He said, "That's okay.  There's a hole in the fence! . ( I came to realize that this routine gave him purpose and enabled him to cope with the death of his mother.)



	     To me, Mark was  a 'gentle soul' -- totally without guile.  I regret the  'lost years' when we were not in touch.   I feel a special affection for Mark--the son of my father's only brother-- and I am looking forward to our gathering later today to honour Mark's memory and celebrate his life.



	With affection,,



	(Cousin) Helena Burnstein

Mark will always be in my memory.  As a friend.  As a a great technical peer.  As a friend, mentor & big brother to my wife Penny & son Neil.  And as the best man at my wedding.  His caring and support of those around him was truly special.  Not all have that gift.  Farewell Mark.

I was just notified of Marks passing today(July 24/14)by his older sister Paula. After he closed down his fathers leather business in North York,we kept in touch with one another since the name of our company is Rayjac Electronics(there is the connection). My connection with Rajac Leather goes a long way back, my father had a leather jacket made.The next contact I had was with Mark in our honour years at Bathurst Heights high school(we were both honour students-joke). Time past after that, like several decades, till the late 80s when we reconnected. Mark was a person full of goodness towards everyone he connected. I loved him like a brother and visa versa. He was a MENCH...a man that gave to one & all and never took. I will miss him, but I know he is with me in my memory. We will meet up again.

There will be a memorial service for Mark on July 6, 2104 at
45 Valley Road, Stouffville, Ontario L4A 7X3

Details and directions to follow

Mark always has been like a brother to me as I spent a lot of time with his younger sister Mara when we were kids and we still do keep in touch, as we grow older. Mark was a real gentleman and spoke in a soft kind voice towards me. I would say that Mark was a ladies man, he was comfortable around his mother, sisters, nieces, female cousins and all of their girlfriends too. Mark your soul will be missed here on earth and your spirit is now free to engage a great journey through out this Universe. May the divine Angles always be with you Mark! Love always Roxanne AKA Rocky…

I extend my deepest sympathy to Mark's entire family. I am a friend of Paula Ruffino and had the pleasure of meeting Mark at her home a few years ago. We were celebraring a Jewish holiday. I sat next to Mark at the dinner table where we enjoyed a wonderful meal. I am so sorry for your loss.

I had not spoken to Mark in several years but fondly remember Mark every time I run into a computer problem. Not only was he available by telephone or online, he often came to my home to fix my problem or take away my computer to fix. Always with a smile or a  comment of wanting to help.
We are sure that it is agreat loss to the family

I wish Uncle Mark well in his new journey. I still recall when my leather jacket had a ripped arm and Mark repaired it as professionally as I have ever seen. I will miss his friendly nature towards people and his always willing to lend a hand or help his fellow humans beings. He will be missed.

Mark always made me smile. I remember going out for dinner with him and Lauri in the eighties. At the time I worked for AMEX and when Mark found that out, he told me the story of how he got a Platinum Card. He had been out for dinner with a friend who took out his green AMEX to pay, so Mark upped him by taking out his gold AMEX. Well when his friend then took out his Platinum AMEX, Mark was beside himself. He had never heard of it. He immediately called AMEX when he got home and asked what the qualifications were for this Platinum card. Sure enough, he qualified so he said so, they agreed, and he was promptly given one. He had me in stitches recounting the tale. I will always remember that when I think of him.

Mark was always very inquisitive.   As a child he would take apart every appliance in our mother's kitchen and put it back together, not always successfully!   He loved anything mechanical, got into ham radios in his teens and was in contact with people all over the world.   When the first home computers came out, he was enthralled.   In 1978 Mark and I started learning DOS and he quickly surpassed me.   Computers became his world and he did everything from writing the language to putting machines together from scratch.   He made every computer I've ever had and I'm still using the desktop that Mark made for me.   His accomplishments are incredible despite the fact that he had part of his brain removed with a tumor at the age of 10.   When Mark went to Israel after the 67 war, we tried to communicate once a week telepathically.   I actually think we connected one time!   I introduced him to classical music and happily that sustained him in his declining years.   I miss my only brother.

OBITUARY

Mark Burnstein

April 23, 1946 – March 3, 2014

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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