Honouring Mark Goodwin

Dear friends and family,

So many of us are still having a hard time wrapping our minds around the loss of Mark. Despite his health issues (metastatic colon cancer, which he bravely faced for almost five years), his death happened quite unexpectedly – and far too soon. I wake up every morning expecting to hear him talking in his funny cat voice to the cats, and wishing I could be sitting with him in his music room while we sip coffee before work, hearing his music selections to jump-start his day, and, through the day, sharing links with each other of our film noir picks of the day (which we'd usually watch after work). I think about my supreme fortune (for over seven years) of having been able to witness Mark's passion - and his inimitable talent - of making music, while he was songwriting, planning shows, recording, and performing. Thursdays are hard - not being able to give him a hug at the door as he made his way off to band rehearsal. These memories stand in for so much, yet barely touch the surface of the heartbreak - our shared heartbreak.

Nothing feels normal right now. We are all mourning a profound loss. Emotionally, it’s not been easy to plan something that still doesn’t feel real, but this is the reality. I am so grateful for your kind, caring messages, words of support, and the many people reaching out. Every message and every gentle inquiry, “how are you doing?” has kept me feeling a little less down, and certainly more connected to Mark through the outreach of his (and our) caring friends and family.

During the past few weeks, friends and family have reached out to me asking how you can be of support, and to help with financial assistance. I have been slow to respond to such kind offers of financial support, when in fact, it would be very helpful to honour Mark. If you wish to contribute toward the costs for the funeral and the related costs that I’ll be handling while tying up financial loose ends, I would be very grateful for your contribution.

Along with Mark Goodwin’s celebration of life in Montreal on February 3 (at Kane and Fetterly at 2:30 pm), we want Mark to be laid to rest in the early summer at the Mount Royal Cemetery, a beautiful, natural area overlooking his beloved city – a place where his friends and family can come visit and commune. May he rest in peace, may he be at peace, our beautiful Mark Goodwin (1959-2023).

(Please note: This fundraiser is intended for anyone wishing to contribute, and contributions are not at all expected. With respect to Mark’s previous gofundme for his convalescence costs, it is not accessible for at least four months due to a lag in government paperwork, but at this moment, there remains about $3,000 or so. I plan to use those funds as I believe Mark would have, toward some accrued and convalescence-associated expenses.)