Mark Blakeman
Marriages
Sheila Walsh Blakeman
Burial Details
Obituaries
Vail Daily page A11 - June 10, 2011
Memorial: Mark Blakeman, formerly of Edwards.
Mark Blakeman, longtime resident of Montrose and friend to many, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly Thursday. He was 50.
Mark, with his wife of 12 years, the former Sheila Walsh, owned and operated Montrose Auto Body. He was born in Danbury, Conn., and grew up in Chemung, N.Y. His first passion was the railroad. Mark found Colorado by having the fortune of traveling through the 48 states. Through his travels, he chose Edwards as his home. He moved to Colorado 27 years ago with longtime friend Tom Donovan to enjoy all that Colorado had to offer. This is where he met Sheila at their favorite watering hole, Champions.
Sheila and Mark moved to Montrose to start their own business in 1999. He loved his work and enjoyed every day with his great employees and customers. Since then, he has created many relationships and great friends and left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.
Mark was one of the kindest men to walk the Earth. With his tender heart and crooked smile, the words he spoke always captured your attention with kind wisdom and his uplifting advice. He was a man of few words, but when he did speak his mind, the meaning in his words said it all. Mark loved everything about nature, from spending time on his boat to touring the lakes of Utah and Colorado, camping throughout the mountains of the West, hanging with his friends and family and reveling in the view from his deck. He adored his dogs Dutch, Molly and Buck, who he had at his side at all times. Like it says on the Rolling Rock bottle, “It comes from the mountain springs to you. 33.â€
His kindness and generosity were most evident when he, Sheila and Montrose Auto Body Shop restored the 1987 GMC Truck of a stranger who was terminally ill.
Mark is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Sheila; Will Brougham (like a son to Mark and Sheila); his mother, Louise Austin, and step-father, Philip Austin; his father, Donald, and lifetime partner, Patricia Glosenger; his brother Michael and his wife, Tammy; in-laws Richard and Jean Walsh, Mary Lydon, Sheila's 11 siblings and their spouses and the 40 nieces and nephews of the Walsh family; step-brother Steve Austin and wife Jody; step-brother Michael Austin and wife Daniel; step-sister Christine Austin and partner Joe Peters; step-sister Sabrina and husband Richard Taylor; step-sister Kim Stevens, step-brother Andrew Glosenger; his Aunt Mary and Uncle Mike and his nieces and nephews. His grandparents Agnes and Clarence preceded him in death. His many friends were all part of his family.
A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at The Bridges in Montrose, a local spot where Mark enjoyed spending time with his wife and friend Will. Friends and family are asked to bring along memories of Mark to share.
Services will also be held in Chemung, N.Y. Details will be announced at a later date.
In Mark's words, “It's all good!†Search the heavens for the perfect camping spot!
Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippin
funeralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory, Montrose.
