GMark D. Lovestrand (June 4, 1960 ~ March 27, 2017)

On March 26, 2017 Mark David Lovestrand died at the age of 56 years young.  Mark was preceded in death by his mother (Margie) and his younger brother (Mike).  Mark is survived by his father (Dave) and younger brothers (John and Rick).  Mark did not marry, and did not have children.  Mark did have a legion of friends though, Timmy Hawk & Chrissie Humanei, to name just two, both of whom aided him immeasurably as Mark's many illness grew worse.  Mark was a true original, nicknamed "Sockman" in his twenties and self-named "Free" in his thirties, monikers he is still known by to this day.  He left indelible impressions wherever he went, and upon everyone he met.  Mark lived and loved intensely, with heat and passion.  He was a son, a brother, a friend, a lover.

Mark was then, and is now, indeed ... Free.

A memorial service will be held Saturday April 8, 2017 at 3:00 pm at Christ Church of Chicago, located at 6047 N Rockwell, in Chicago.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mark's name to any charitable organization that you may already be affiliated with who shelter the homeless, or feed the hungry.  A Just Harvest (in Evanston) is a beyond-worthy recipient, as they serve meals 365 days a year; volunteers from Christ Church of Chicago plug in their once a month.  Members of Christ Church of Chicago are also invited to make donations in Mark's name to the Church directly if they prefer, as "Tri-C" in turn uses those monies to curb hunger and provide shelter.

Grateful Dead

What if the reaper isn’t so grim,

What if the message is a beautiful hymn.

What if the sickle was set aside,

What if the black robes were tye-dyed.

Is it OK to pray for death,

I hope so, because he did.

Is it OK to welcome death,

I hope so, because we did.

What if its messenger is an angel,

With a gentle hand, and a soft caress.

What if its resting place is a river,

Of ever-flowing love, may God bless.

Is it OK to rampage and thunder,

I hope so, because he did.

Is it OK to reflect and wonder,

I hope so, because we did.

What if his last breadth is the first step,

What if his human end is the beginning.

What if his light outshines regret,

What if his love embraces sinning.

Is it OK to pray, and cast doubt,

I hope so, because he did.

Is it OK to pray, without being devout,

I hope so, because we did.

What if we gave the last word to his favorite poet, Jerry Garcia, from the Grateful Dead,

Who wrote & sang, noted & twanged: “What a looooooooooooooooong, strange trip it’s been!”

To Mark, with Love, your brother, John

“What do you most value in your friends? Their continued existence.” ~ Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22: A Memoir