On October 20th 2020, our son, brother, and uncle
MARK WAINO DRAZENOVICH
passed away in San Diego, California.
He shuffled off his mortal coil and began a new journey. Our prayer, hope, and expectation is that he is at peace. Our faith provides us certainty that we will see him again.
Mark was born in Hibbing, MN on July 1st 1959 to George and June Drazenovich. He was son #3.
He is survived by his mother June of Maple Grove, MN and his six siblings. In order: Dan (Lynda) of Sault Ste. Marie, ON; Mike of Maple Grove, MN; Mary Ann (Dallas) of Winnipeg, MB; David of San Diego, CA; George (Lori) of Thunder Bay, ON; Bill (Lisa) of Maple Grove, MN.
He is also survived by his Uncles and Aunts Joe and Carol Drazenovich of Hibbing, MN; John and Gaile Drazenovich of Hibbing, MN;
Tom and Mary Claire Drazenovich of Grand Rapids, MN, Jean Suomi of Babbitt, MN and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his father, George, on May 18th 2002, his Uncle and Aunt John and Helen Lamprecht of Virginia, MN, and his Uncle John (Sonny) Suomi of Babbitt, MN.
At the age of 7, Mark proudly made the roster of Gilbert Minnesota’s Little League Baseball team. Big George coached, Dan pitched, Mike caught, and Mark played left field. Legend has it that Mark was not only one of the youngest boys every to play little league, but that to this day, he still holds the record for most walks in a season.
The family moved to Fort Frances in 1966 when his father, George, accepted a position to teach there. He attended St. Francis,
St. Michael’s, St. Mary’s, Westfort, and graduated from
FFHS in 1977.
Mark often spoke of the lifelong friendships he developed growing up in Fort Frances, because you see, Fort Frances was his home. He worked at KDS Hardware, Western Wholesale Groceries, and of course his beloved, Boise Cascade Canada which brings up another fun fact that Mark held the record for most consecutive “Grind Outs” per shift. He developed a habit during that time of keeping the phone off the hook and warning his younger siblings “Do Not Touch the Phone or Else!”
Mark was a member of FFHS Muskie Basketball team that
made it to the All Ontario Basketball tournament in Belleville, Ontario his senior year. He loved his teammates. Mark carried a heavy heart when his dear friend, Gordy Ash, was severely injured in a car accident and has now recently passed away. Can you imagine the reunion now in Heaven?
Mark liked to have fun with his friends. Like the time late one evening when he and a few of his buddies decided to take a team
of Clydesdales for a trot. That team of horses were in town for a circus that was taking place at the arena. Out of convenience, they walked those horses over to Dale Ross’s home (yes, Normy was involved). Because of the size of these enormous animals, they
stood on Dale’s car and mounted these beasts bareback. After a
brief adventure that lead them down the streets of Fort Frances,
over the Causeway, and down Rocky Inlet Road, they returned those wonderful animals, unharmed but a little tired and perhaps slightly stressed out. The image of Beach Kawulia gripping the mane and Mark holding on for dear life will be etched in my mind forever.
Mark followed in his parent’s footsteps and graduated from The University of Kings College in Halifax, NS with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and from National University in San Diego with a Masters Degree in Education. After graduating from Dalhousie, Mark moved to San Diego, CA where he was employed by the San Diego Unified School District up until his recent passing.
Mark loved many things. The Twins, Vikings, Gophers, his family, his
friends, but his true love was for His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church.
I invite you all to visit a blog. The link (http://www.northernoverexposure.com/blog) that was written by our brother George. It is entitled “Until We Meet Again My Brother.”
Our family would like to thank all of you for your calls, texts, and cards of love and support.
It is so profoundly comforting. We in turn hope you find this obituary and George’s blog comforting to you as well. A private family funeral Mass will take place very soon. In memorial, please contribute to your favorite charity.
God Bless you all.
