Good Bye, Mark

For anyone that doesn't know, Mark Joy passed away today. My sister just called tonight to let me know. Mark was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and, seemingly, things went downhill pretty quickly. Unfortunately, I never did get a chance to speak with him about how he was doing.

For anyone that didn't know Mark, he ran the Stables in downtown Clintonville (where I worked, during high school) for quite some time. Despite having multiple hip surgeries and a severe lack of hair, you just couldn't help but smile when he was around. I still tell people about his "diet foods", which included rice cakes covered with chocolate frosting, or his 5 jazz Christmas albums that I was forced to listen to for two months during every holiday season.

Mark did a lot for Clintonville, and for me. He taught me a lot (mostly about men's clothing), but I now know how a suit should fit, how to tie a tie, and, probably more importantly, how important it is to make someone smile.

You'll be missed, Mark. You really will.

Love,
Corey