Mark “Mack” McKenzie Martin

Nov. 13, 1972-May 19, 2016

Beloved son, brother,

colleague and friend.

It might well have ended the time Mack collided with a power pole at the intersection of Center and Dill Roads. Or the time he was plucked, almost drowned, by the ferry, out of San Juan Channel. Or it might have ended during any number of less spectacular but equally perilous episodes.

Mack survived every disaster and usually came up grinning. Friends and family shook their heads. Mack lived a tumultuous but charmed life. This extended into every phase of his life, on the one hand, phenomenal achievement, luck and outstanding character traits, on the other, chaos and destruction. Family and friends always marveled at his capabilities and agonized over his stumbles.

Maybe it was his intellect, genius level by any standard, maybe it was something else, but for Mack the lows followed the highs as regularly and predictably as changes in the weather. As his gifts were outsized, so too were his demons.

Mack himself chalked it up to genetics and always the siren call of the bottle. For those close to him, Mack’s self-destructive impulses were the greatest of mysteries. How could someone so talented, so intelligent, so personable be utterly lacking in the instinct for self-preservation?

Mack was born and spent his early years in Lompoc, California, son of Mark B. Martin and Candy Adams.

Mack grew up a country boy and developed his life-long love of animals, nature and hands-on work. He was an avid boy scout as well. Mack, his mother and sister Chanda later moved to the Redneck Riviera of the Florida Panhandle. Mack graduated from Niceville High School, after which he followed his father, stepmother and stepsisters to Lopez to work construction.

Lopez fit Mack like a glove—the saltwater, laid back rural lifestyle, abundant nature and cast of island characters. Later, father Mark and family moved off-island, mother Candy moved to Lopez and Mack stayed.

Mack was ridiculously talented, he quickly mastered anything he put his hand to, during his construction days became a master carpenter, then a contractor, built and modified homes for family, friends and clients. He enrolled in dive school and became a commercial diver.

Along with ex-wife Jackie Ashe, Mack operated the charter boat Kismet for years, plying San Juan and Canadian Waters. He maintained the vessel and became an excellent marine engineer. Mack pioneered the shellfish seed hatchery on Shoal Bay—designing and building the systems as well as pioneering the shellfish biology. He was a crack electrician and plumber.

Mack was an exceptionally kind and gentle man. He went out of his way to find opportunities to help others. He cared for mother-in-law Bee Callahan in her final years, step-son Tom Ashe in his, helped care for his Grandmother Margaret Clark and participated in end-of-life care for many of our island elders.

From early days Mack developed his spiritual life. In recent times he attended both the Community Church and Lutheran Churches on Lopez. In his own way, through all his struggles, Mack was a Man of God.

A series of major trips also punctuated his life—Micronesia, Thailand, Mexico, Kauai and extensive travels around the US. Mack loved to immerse himself in other places, other people and new activities. He was never more himself than when commencing a new adventure.

Mack left Lopez for good two years ago. Since then he lived in Burlington and Mt Vernon, worked for Acme Shellfish in Bow, Wildcatch Seafood in Anacortes on his highs, and spent considerable time in treatment and jail following his lows. Mack thrived in the structure of treatment programs, and as usual dedicated himself to others, mentoring numerous younger addicts in their walk to recovery and health.

Friends and family never gave up on Mack. His exit now is not the way anyone wanted things to end, but our faith now is that Mack has found the peace and healing that eluded him on Earth. A tremendous man has left our midst. Those close to Mack all feel blessed to have known him, and are the poorer for his loss. As sister Chanda put it, we “miss the hope of the man who could have been.”

Mack may best be remembered by not giving up on a struggling friend or loved one.

Remembrances may be sent in Mack’s name to Wolf Hollow Wildlife rescue center.

Mack in survived by mother Candy Adams, sister Chanda Martin, father Mark Martin, a large extended family and an extensive group of friends.

Private family services were held for Mark “Mack” Martin at Evans Funeral Home and Chapel on Saturday, May 28, 2016. The family will be hosting a public ash scattering service and memorial at some point during the beautiful summer months on Lopez.