MARK ROSEMEIER

BLUE HILL – Mark Rosemeier, 54, died unexpectedly Jan. 3, 2010, after a brief illness. He was born April 26, 1955, in Bangor, the son of the late Wilbur and Margaret (Dalton) Rosemeier. Mark moved to Blue Hill at an early age and things in town were never again quite the same. With Mark’s passing, things in town will never again be quite be the same – again. Mark attended Blue Hill Consolidated School and graduated from George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill in 1973. He later obtained his associate degree in business from Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. Mark began his working career in the family propane business, Penobscot Bay Gas. During high school he made service calls to virtually every household in the Blue Hill area. He moved on to other occupations when the business later sold to a national chain. Although Mark never aspired to have children of his own, children nevertheless became one of his many passions. He always kept the heart of a child. In the immortal words of Bob Dylan, Mark always remained “forever young.” His friends affectionately called him Peter Pan. He worked for many years at Nichol’s Day Camp, serving as camp counselor, bus driver and handyman, and eventually became director of the program. Children loved his kind, playful and ever-present mischievous personality. Mark’s love of travel took him to the automotive advertising film business for a number of years where he worked as a “grip” in locations such as California and Costa Rica, which he loved. Mark was a good listener and served as a sought-after bartender for various watering holes on the Blue Hill peninsula throughout the years. He ran Sarah’s Shop on Main Street in the late-1980s and early-1990s. In more recent years, he enjoyed detailing cars, working as a handyman and delivering flowers for Fairwinds Florist of Blue Hill. He was always the impetuous social creature and he strived to meet everyone. Mark always lived life to the fullest, and perhaps, but for a few minor interests, he always placed quality over quantity. He was seldom idle. In his youth, he loved his black Mustang, which often caught the attention of his contemporaries, as well as the local trooper. He loved Jeeps and Jeeping, mud and full moons atop Blue Hill Mountain. The Hobbit was a favorite book, and Willey Nelson’s “On the Road Again” became a favorite movie. His life was a similar adventure. It was not uncommon for Mark to telephone a friend in the middle of the night, to simply “share the moment” as he affectionately described it, whether it was a meteor shower over the Bay, the northern lights or to simply remind them that he loved them. By far his most favorite place to be in the world was aboard his Boston Whaler on Blue Hill Bay with his blond ponytail flying in the wind and his short shorts showing off his Coppertone tan. He spent countless summer days pulled up on the beaches of Tinker’s, Long and Jed’s Islands, to name but a few, just to pass the time. To Mark, there was no more magnificent playground in the world. He never tired of beating against the waves or powering through the breakers at Blue Hill Falls. He also never had a shortage of crew, and clothing was at all times optional. Mark was best known for his consummate smile, his childish grin and his perpetual willingness to help people in their darkest moments. He would quickly drop everything to cheer up a friend, a brother or even a stranger. Children and adults both gravitated to Mark, and many a person describe him as their “best friend.” It came naturally to him. Rowantrees Pottery became a home to Mark for years, where he could always be found working, tinkering with a project or entertaining anyone who came along. He is survived by two brothers, Scott and his wife Libby, and Jon, all of Blue Hill; a niece, Sarah Cutter and her husband, Ron; great-niece, Sophie of Waterville; and his extended families of the Grangers and the Murrays, both of Blue Hill. Mark will be sadly missed by his family and thousands of friends on the Peninsula and across the country. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Congregational Church, Main Street, Blue Hill, with the Rev. Rob McCall officiating. A reception will be at BarnCastle Restaurant, South Street, Blue Hill. A summer flotilla memorial on Blue Hill Bay is also being planned and announcements will be made at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark’s memory and honor to Nichols Day Camp, P.O. Box 472, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Condolences may be offered at www.jordanfernald.com. The family is also in the process of setting up an online site for friends to leave messages, kind words, photographs and contact information at www.markrosemeier.wordpress.com.