Mark John Antoncich Jr., age 83, of Guemes Island, Washington passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023. Mark was the firstborn son to Gertrude and Mark Antoncich, born at Mason City Hospital at Grand Coulee Dam, WA. Two lovely sisters came next, Barbara and Linda (who claim their brother had a way of getting out of doing dishes). He attended Assumption grade school in Seattle, did Cub and Boy Scouts (he was a master at knot-tying), and graduated in the first class at Blanchet High School in 1958.
In 1961, Mark joined the Coast Guard Reserve and was almost called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was honorably discharged in 1975 as a Boatswain Mate 3rd class. During those early years he sold real estate in downtown Seattle, as well as recreational land, and played semi-pro football for the Edmonds Warriors. He sold sailboats and taught sailing at Shilshole in Ballard.
In 1963, Mark moved to Anacortes to become sales manager for Bryant’s Marina. He got his pilot’s license and 100-ton Coast Guard Masters License. Upon moving back to Seattle a couple years later, he purchased his first business, Tiger Motor Freight and Warehousing. It included local film delivery, sometimes waiting for the last reel to finish late at night at the outdoor theaters before taking it to the next one.
Mark met the love of his life, Bonnie, in 1975, and they were married the following year at St. Patrick’s Church on Capitol Hill. They were blessed with three beautiful children: Casey (Heather), Christa (Andrew) and Kelly (Caitlin), and five amazing grandchildren. Mark welcomed his recently found lovely daughter, Anna (Dave), and her family, to the loving mix in 2021.
In 1980, Mark purchased his second business, Sammamish Sweepers, and grew it from two trucks to 20, selling the business in 2000. Retirement began in 2004 on Guemes Island.
Mark was an entrepreneurial spirit, full of ideas, and preferred to work for himself. He was generous and kind, always willing to help someone out. He loved boats, planes, sea shanties, cleaning up (picking up litter from roadsides and cleaning junk out of Sammamish slough in Bothell.) He was involved with a prison outreach program called Man to Man, organized programs like winter coats and blankets to downtown Seattle needy, and starting Helping Hands at Northshore Rotary, among other programs.
Mark is survived by his devoted wife, Bonnie, his sister Linda, 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mark loved God, family and country. He was a gentleman. His strong voice will be remembered as well as his singing, which warmed the hearts of those who heard it. His greetings were always unique, like “hi toots” or “hey kiddo” or “love you brother.” He will be deeply missed.
A Funeral Mass for Mark will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church, 601 W. Columbia St., Monroe, WA 98272. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Mark will be laid to rest during a private family ceremony at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle, WA.
Memorial gifts in Mark’s name may be made to St. Mary Church Knights of Columbus, 4001 St. Mary Dr., Anacortes, WA 98221 or the American Legion Post 13, P.O. Box 376, Anacortes, WA 98221.