Mark

Mark has always been a man on the move. From the rugged snowcaps of Alaska to the tropical beauty of St. Croix, he’s called sixteen different places “home” throughout his life, each stop another chapter in a journey that was anything but ordinary.

As a professional chauffeur, he didn’t just drive people — he listened, laughed, and lived a thousand lives through the stories told in his rearview mirror by an array of interesting clientele. He speaks fondly of the drive he was most honored to take: being part of Senator John McCain’s funeral procession seven years ago.

While Mark’s career led him to cross paths with celebrities and world-class athletes, he placed great significance on every journey. Many passengers were ordinary people headed to ordinary moments: a long-awaited reunion, a scenic adventure, an important business conference. To Mark, it was never just about getting from point A to point B. It was about all the stories in between.

When the road ahead took an unexpected turn — a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease — Mark knew it was time to shift gears.

He recalled the heartbreaking conversation with his neurologist, who explained that he eventually would not be able to drive. “When I left, I did not have a sense of identity,” he reflected. Driving wasn’t just something he did — it was who he was. It had been his livelihood, his independence, his way of connecting to the world.

Leaving his career behind was a redefining moment in Mark’s life. He found strength through the support from loved ones, ultimately deciding it was time to leave Phoenix and relocate to be closer to his family in Maryland.

Retirement opened the door to a new kind of journey. After moving to The Sky Bridge at Town Center, Mark quickly discovered that the stories around him were just as captivating as the ones he’d heard throughout his career. The faces were new, but the rhythm was familiar: people arriving with stories to tell, hoping to find comfort at their new destination. Naturally, Mark jumped at the opportunity to be a resident ambassador — a job he takes an equal sense of pride in.

As an ambassador, Mark helps newcomers get acclimated to the community — greeting them with a smile, showing them around, introducing them to fellow neighbors, and inviting them to join a plethora of fun events. “I’m the official doorman at the films here,” Mark joked, listing all the ways he stays active with peers in the community. From day trips to movie nights, drum circles to dance parties, and everything in between — you name it, and Mark is there — always exuding positive energy and a friendly smile.

Embracing his new role as an ambassador, Mark discovered a new set of roads — ones paved with purpose, friendship, and joy. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining social connections, sharing how he likes to get out of his room at least three times a day, whether he needs to or not. Grateful for those who created a welcoming experience for him, Mark finds fulfillment in doing the same for others. “If I can make someone smile or laugh, I've done my job today.”

An avid traveler who has lived in more than a dozen places, Mark has an even deeper appreciation for the place he now calls home. The cultural diversity of his retirement community has inspired a wealth of new experiences. Mark has met people who are from countries he’s traveled to, allowing them to bond over places they’ve been and places they hope to visit someday. New friends have introduced Mark to cherished traditions and cultural celebrations. When the community gathered to celebrate Kwanzaa, Mark joined his friends and neighbors wearing a traditional kufi cap and kente scarf — garments symbolic of African heritage, ancestral roots, enduring strength, and cultural unity.

“I think that resilience — learning a new culture, learning a new [place] where I'm at, and everything else, I think it's made me a better person,” he said. “I mean, if I was in the same community for my entire life, I would not be this person.”

When it comes to his perspective on aging, Mark offered a candid response. “I think the main thing I've learned is that you have to take it as it comes, you know, and you got to realize it's going to happen even though you don't want it to happen.” He paused for a moment, acknowledging how he gets emotional talking about it, then delivered a heartfelt conclusion. “I just think that if you have family and friends and whatever to help you through that, that's what makes it worth it right there.”

As someone who spent decades navigating busy highways, city streets, and winding back roads, Mark always focused on getting others where they needed to go. These days, he’s guiding people in a different way — offering comfort, connection, and a steady presence in the passenger seat of life.


Listen to an excerpt from Mark's interview.

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