Mark Joseph Lawrence

I remember the first time I met Mark. It was at the old Pomona office in Pam’s office. He was building a bookcase. He welcomed me to the company. My first impression was that this was someone you instantly like.
Months later I had the chance to work with Mark on a UST removal job at the old May Company building in North Hollywood. Literally half a mile from where I grew up. He showed up with his truck and backhoe. I had been doing this for twenty years at that time, so I thought I knew what to expect. From the first moment I realized this was different. This guy gets into the machine and starts to work. I just had to stand back and marvel. It wasn’t like the machine became an extension of the operator, I had seen that before. He became the machine. Economy of motion, total concentration, the softest touch I had ever seen. What should have taken two days was done in hours and I got to go home early. Thanks Mark!
Finally, sometimes you get to know a little bit about someone by meeting their children. You get to see their manners, upbringing, character, as a reflection of their parents. What I learned about Mark is that he was the Dad’s Dad. Someone, every father should aspire to emulate.
Mark, save a place for us at Fishes and Loaves. We can share stories over a glass of iced tea.

Uncle Mark, you lit up every room you ever walked into. Your smile and laugh were infectious. You brighten the day of all who were around you. I enjoyed reconnecting with you recently. You will be missed by all.
To all of you that loved him so much, may you find peace in how fortunate you were to have the time you did with him. I love you all. Uncle Tom

“You know you married a GENIUS-right?” I hear your voice in my head every single day, and it makes me laugh - every single time. Just as it has for the past 18 years. Yes, I know I married a genius - one who could fix anything, one who was never satisfied until it was just right. An inventor who would invent something on the spot to solve a problem or make life easier.

I married a genius who could recall what his third grade teacher was wearing when he got in trouble for punching the class bully, or what his brother -in-law taught him in 1989 about packing sewer line joints. Or what his brother Phillip said to him when he showed up at the jock-party on Shay Road when he was in 10th grade.

I married a genius who was capable of true empathy; whose first fistfight was with a boy who stomped a butterfly that he was admiring. A genius who had tremendous respect and compassion for the elderly and was always quick to hold a door or help them in any way possible.

A genius who was eternally grateful for the opportunities he had been given to learn his trade and thankful to those who took the time to teach him all that he knew. He wanted nothing more than to pass along to others his knowledge, and took every opportunity to teach those who wanted to learn.

A genius who had the most intuitive read on people; able to understand what they were thinking and to connect with them immediately. He was someone who could give you that hug that you didn’t even realize you needed, or that word of encouragement that turned your day around.

I married the funniest genius I have ever met - one who made me laugh out loud nearly every single day of the 25 years we shared - one who viewed life with such clarity and logic that it forced us to look at ourselves and laugh.

Yes, I know I married a genius; for who but a genius could provide to another a life filled with laughter, love and adoration? Who but a genius could give everyone who knew them a reason to smile? The void his absence leaves in my life is seemingly insurmountable, the echoes of my memories never to be silenced. But then I look out the window and see that big ass trench he never got backfilled, and I laugh out loud, for that is my genius - the one who always had a project underway, who never sat still, and who even now, can make me laugh out loud.

I love you my darling….

This is mark teaching me how to operate an excavator. I was watching from below counting trucks as he waves at me to climb up into the seat. I had the privilege to know mark and his family and calling them my family as well. Such a kind heart and would shed the shirt off his back to help anyone out. sending our love and deepest condolences to the Lawrence Family.
-Meloni Fam

I will miss you uncle, will always remember the fun and the laughter we had. Thanks for everything you have tought me and the moments of fun riding there’s the desert on are dirt bikes. Give my mom Theresa and grandma and the cousins a hug for me. We will see each other again one day. I love you uncle.

Sorry for your loss Pam