Mark Boynton Seelen, Jr., 83, of East Orleans, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida, died on October 20 at Massachusetts General Hospital of respiratory complications. Mark was the loving husband of Carole Spachner Seelen and father of John V. and his wife Lisa, of Marlborough, New Hampshire, Mark A. and his wife, Barbara, of Falmouth, Maine, and Victoria A. and her husband, Tad Lawrence, of Roslindale, Massachusetts. He was the proud and adoring grandfather of Captain Mark, Kathryn, Caroline, Geoffrey, and William Seelen, as well as Kat and Jennifer Lawrence. Mark said his greatest pride in his life was his family. He was predeceased by his son, Geoffrey W. Seelen of Boston, Massachusetts, and by a granddaughter, Elizabeth M. Seelen, of Falmouth, Maine.
Mark grew up in Bronxville, New York, went on to attend the University of Notre Dame, and was a lifelong fan of their football team. Early in his career, he worked as an account executive at the advertising agency J. Paul Lefton in both Philadelphia and New York City. Later he was the owner of Heckman Motors, an automobile dealership in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. He was also a partner in SpachSeel Incorporated, a business he co-owned with his father in law, John V. Spachner.
Mark had a big personality and he is remembered by everyone who knew him as extremely kind, warm, funny, and engaging. Wherever he was, he always made a friend. He was admired by all who knew him. In recent years, he especially loved the ritual of his daily rounds in East Orleans, Massachusetts with his dog, Lucy, in the car. Newspapers. Coffee. Post Office. Dump Run. The initiator of a good laugh, passionate about his many bird houses, doting owner of a long line of pets, devoted to the Patriots and to the Red Sox. He was also an outstanding gardener, griller (who liked to start his fires with gasoline and a leaf blower), and golfer. For years he and his wife, Carole, played golf at The Club at Pelican Bay in Naples, Florida, as well as at the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster, Massachusetts. Mark enjoyed the beautiful sea view from his back deck on Cape Cod , his pipe, a spoonful of ice cream at all hours of the day, Civil War history, family holidays, gourmet dinners, and peanut-butter sandwiches. Known by some as the “Marlboro Man” because of his extra-large mustache, he was often seen wearing his yellow measuring-tape suspenders. Mostly, though, he was known for his generosity, compassion, wisdom, and humor (“Don’t marry for money, but hang around it and you might fall in love”).
Mark’s family would like to acknowledge the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital Intensive Care Unit for their excellent care and compassion.
A celebration of Mark’s life will be held on December 16, 2012 at 12:00pm at his home in Orleans.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Animal Rescue League of Boston, Brewster Shelter, 3981 Rt. 6A, E. Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631.
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