MARK THOMAS JR. ‘BUDDY’

STOCKTON SPRINGS – Mark Thomas Jr. passed Oct. 7, 2008. We are mourning the loss of a child taken too soon. However, Markie would want us to remember him for who he was. Markie was many things to many people. He had a way to make you laugh, just when you needed it. Born April 18, 1994, he had been on the go since the time he was able to walk. He spent his youngest years doing things with his dad that the average child would not have done so young. Markie was on the road, shifting trucks and hanging out with his dad in the woods, logging. He was all boy; he loved working in the garage. He had excellent mechanical ability for someone his age. He spent hours working directly with his dad and was learning to become a mechanic himself. He learned to drive very early, this he very much enjoyed. Markie was an inventor of sorts; he could make things from scrap that amazed everyone who knew him. Two summers ago, he had the opportunity to race at Unity. Markie spent hours with his dad making the parts necessary, with Mark Sr., and being responsible for helping install them into his then Toyota. He was grateful to Junior who aided his cause by giving the safety seat needed to finish his project. If Markie wanted something he found ways to make it happen. He had a great bargaining ability; we often found ourselves aiding his cause because he could make it make sense. He would be done with one project and be dreaming of the next. He was a young man who needed to be busy with his hands. He was forever tinkering with electrical equipment just so he could understand how it worked. He could install complicated sound systems by age 13. Driving was one of his favorite things to do. He was blessed that this was possible for him. He would drive every day on the lot. He was actively working on fixing up what he called “my great gas mileage car.” He was very interesting to watch, one day he had it all zupped up with a loud muffler and the next you could barely hear his car rounding the bend of the drive. Markie’s favorite car was the Chevy Camaro. He had two; one for parts, one, which he was fixing to sell, both he primered all by himself. He was actively working on his Nissan. He was planning on keeping it for when he received his permit next year. He was looking forward to this. We talked about it often. We recently talked of the future, his plans, his dreams. He was planning on college, a possible visit to Maine Maritime, and keeping a garage for the five cars he planned on having. He took long rides with his family, exploring and learning. He had a very stubborn side, but you could talk to him, taking rides in the ramp truck, we had the privilege of watching him operate this piece of equipment. Whenever there was something going on, he was right there to be a part of it. Most of all he loved his family, his sisters, Stephanie, Liz and Kim. They are forever bonded in life together; each one has a different story to tell. He was not afraid to hug them or cry with them, he was not afraid to challenge life. He had so many opportunities. He had a short life, but he would want you to know that he lived, he laughed, he enjoyed his friends and family, and that he knows that we will never forget him. Mark Thomas Jr. is survived by his father, Mark Thomas Sr. of Stockton Springs; his mother, Tammy Thomas of Searsport; his sisters, Liz, Stephanie and Kim; close friends, Mirissa Melnick and Lori Rosetti. He was an uncle to Kristen and Kenny. He is also survived by many aunts and uncles, grandmother and grandfather who reside in Florida, and a grandmother in Maine. He is now at peace with Grampy in heaven. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at Stockton Springs Community Church, Main Street, Stockton Springs.