Mark Shefchik

Mark Thomas Shefchik, 66, died Thursday, July 21, 2016, at his home in Duluth.

Mark was born Aug. 16, 1949, in Duluth, the son of Thomas J. Shefchik Jr. and Dorothy (Carlson) Shefchik. He was a lifelong Duluth resident, graduating from Duluth East High School in 1967 and UMD in 1974. Mark was a member of the Air National Guard and a dedicated employee of Dey Distributing.

From Mark's earliest years, his passions were music and skiing, and later he became a devoted sailor. He learned to ski when he was 4-years-old and was a ski instructor and served on the ski patrol at Spirit Mountain beginning in 1987. Mark began drumming in junior high school and played in a number of bands throughout his life, including the Pendletons, the Tempests and, most prominently, the Soul Seekers. When Duluth's Titans were inducted into the Minnesota Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, Mark was the band's drummer. He also performed many times with his father's Hungry Five big band. He most recently played with Rough Roads.

After taking up sailing, Mark became a dedicated member of the Duluth Keel Club in 1982 and served as the organization's commodore for two years. He participated in two Trans-Superior races, numerous San Juan 24 North American Championships, Bayfield Race Week and Wednesday night and weekend buoy races, but his favorite was always Tuesday night one-design races.

He and his family spent numerous vacations cruising the Apostle Islands. Mark was a loving husband and dedicated father who loved introducing his family to his favorite activities, but also supported them in their chosen endeavors as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carlyle and LaVonne Staffon; and brother-in-law Bob Pratt.

Mark is survived by his wife, Lauri; sons Tom (Katy) and Dan Shefchik; daughter Beth Shefchik; brother Rick (Barbara Lundgren) Shefchik; sister Lisa Pratt; brothers-in-law Richard (Carol) Staffon and Alec (Barb) Staffon); and nieces and nephews, Christine (Jon) Graham, Heather (Aaron) Kreager, Teresa (Jake) Smytka, Amanda (Naveen) Yavad, Leif (Jillian) Staffon, David Shefchik, Claire Shefchik, Anna (Chad) Sandquist, Betsy (Adam) Maus and Jenn (Ben) Bradley.

Mark's family would like to thank Cindy and Teresa from Essentia hospice for their excellent care and support.

SERVICE: 2 p.m. Thursday, July 28, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1325 N. 45th Ave. E., Duluth.

Reception and jam session to follow at 5 p.m. at G.B. Schneider & Co, 4602 Grand Ave., Duluth.

Memorials to The Richard M. Schulze Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Minneapolis, or the memorial of your choice.