Mark Ellis 1966-2008
Welcome to the Memorial Message Board.
Money forwarded -Posted by Ken Isherwood on April 01, 2008 at 02:02:00:
£10.00 Received from Matt & Jason-31 March 08
Money forwarded - Posted by Ken Isherwood on April 15, 2008 at 19:00:15:
£10.00 Donated by Deborah Stevenson 12April08
Money forwarded - Posted by Ken Isherwood on April 21, 2008 at 20:04:35:
£500.00 From the Church Collection 20April08
Money forwarded - Posted by Ken Isherwood on April 01, 2008 at 02:14:41:
£30.00 from Barnsley V Chelsea betting syndicate
Mark - Posted by ruth on April 03, 2008 at 15:38:17:
Could nt believe the news...last time I saw Mark we were on our way back from Llandudno and his car broke down...so we had lunch and a walk round castleton laughing all the time...I was being my usual vitriolic self about various folk...and mark was,as ever being the voice of fairness and reason!!Goodbye to a truly fabulous human being...a true Mensch.XXXXX
great mate - Posted by joe on April 03, 2008 at 17:22:02:
What a massive shock i was at anfield and the reverend gig with mark although i only saw mark at the "big games" we shared some great times some one described him as a great trade unionist great anti rascist and great freind and that is how i remember him R.I.P MARK x
Mark - Posted by Karen , Kyle Alex on April 04, 2008 at 01:14:59:
I can't count the number of times the kids or I have picked up the phone to call. They will always remember they never asked a question he couldn’t answer! One of the last times I saw Mark we were shopping and he bought me the La's album in the vain hope of improving my musical tastes. He loved Barnsley FC but was on hand to escort my son's to a Wednesday match dressed of course in his Barnsley FC scarf. We will never forget that! We will all be supporting Barnsley this weekend in his honour even my mum and she’s never done football. Mark was possibly the only true gentlemen I ever met. Thanks for the memories, from all of us including Mum, Dad, Soph, Gian, Nats and Badger!
Uncle Mark - Posted by Beth on April 13, 2008 at 17:28:24:
The 8 weeks since my uncle's death have definitely been the hardest in my life. It still seems unbelievable to me, and yet as though he's been gone for years. I can see him in his orange 'PUNK' t-shirt and jeans, talking to my mum and dad about football, or politics, or about anything, but still seeming to know exactly what he was talking about. And since his death I've learnt many brilliant things abvout him, which I wouldn't have known otherwise, and have made me smile, or laugh. Thank you to all who have sent cards and letters, and who went to the funeral and made it such an amazing wonderful occasion. Thanks especially to Uncle Mark, for being a great Uncle, friend, and a wonderful person.
Love always, Beth
Uncle Mark - Posted by Beth on April 13, 2008 at 17:29:08:
The 8 weeks since my uncle's death have definitely been the hardest in my life. It still seems unbelievable to me, and yet as though he's been gone for years. I can see him in his orange 'PUNK' t-shirt and jeans, talking to my mum and dad about football, or politics, or about anything, but still seeming to know exactly what he was talking about. And since his death I've learnt many brilliant things abvout him, which I wouldn't have known otherwise, and have made me smile, or laugh. Thank you to all who have sent cards and letters, and who went to the funeral and made it such an amazing and special occasion. Thanks especially to Uncle Mark, for being a great Uncle, friend, and a wonderful person.
Love always, Beth
Mark - Posted by Maureen on April 13, 2008 at 19:28:11:
I can't help but think that if there is any justice, Mark and that cat of his are going to be at some great gigs up there and meeting some fantabulous musicians. In my mind I picture him drinking it all in - and its also what I wish for him.
Chopper Ellis - Posted by Jamie on April 13, 2008 at 19:32:16:
I have many fond memories of Mark - from being scythed down on a regular basis during five a side games to him helping me stage dive during a half man half biscuit concert and of course some legendary nights at the casbah!!
Where's Me Jumper? - Posted by Maggs on April 13, 2008 at 22:35:29:
Mark, for me, will always be "Dancing in the disco, bumper to bumper... Wait a minute, where's me jumper?".
Senseless loss of a lovely guy who lives on burning brightly in our memories. Maggs x
Joe Strummer - Clive Porter 19:01:50 04/15/08 ( 2) Posted by Clive Porter on April 15, 2008 at 19:01:50:
Just done a donation via Paypal. In memory of Mark, Joe Strummer and my Dad. Two of whom I have met!
Chopper - Posted by Jenny Wiltfong on April 15, 2008 at 19:40:09:
Been doing an awful lot of thinking about Mark, and his family and friends, and if thought and hug vibrations can make it across the Atlantic then I'm hoping they have been receiving mine.
I'm not generally a hokey-spiritualist-type, but in this case it's true. Feels awfully helpless to be this far away, and awfully helpless in general. I realize that, in the grand scheme of things, I certainly didn't know Chopper as well as so many others, but I was absolutely gutted to learn of his untimely passing. Seems all of my memories link to the same images: music, football and friends. At the Casbah, at the pub after the Wednesday - Barnsley match, at the HMHB concert, jumping in the air and bumping bellies with Jamie to Sultans of Pink in the Leadmill... He always had a smile on his face, and he was always a great conversation - genuinely interested and engaged with life and the people who were around him. I can't imagine how many peoples lives' Mark has touched, nor the profound loss that so many are feeling. It seems strange that I truly miss him given that I spent two years randomly hanging out with him, and given that I haven't been back to England for two and a half. But I miss the idea of him being there, kicking around South Yorkshire, keeping the local music scene alive.
In any case, I had the good fortune to watch the FA cup match against chelsea and (like the rest of England, I'm sure) couldn't believe the result!! . I thought about how sad it was that Mark wasn't there to experience the event from his spot at Oakwell, but I also had this weird hopeful and happy feeling. Like Mark made it up to heaven and convinced God to let Barnsley achieve the glory of the semi finals! I really mean that more figuratively than literally, though I love the image I carry in my mind! And I'm sure you ARE going to start to believe me to be a hokey-spiritualist, but that's ok :) What I really mean, I suppose, is that it made me think of him, reminded me he's with us, and doing good stuff. I personally believe that he must have had a hand in the Barnsley win! And it provided some comfort and a few smiles for me.
Jamie also told me about your efforts to raise funds for jailguitardoors as a tribute to Mark, and I just wanted to say what a brilliant and fitting choice to honor him. I don't think you could have come up with a single idea that would have been a better match. I look forward to hearing how the project evolves.Sending all my best wishes and big hugs to you and Mark's loved ones.
All the best,
Jenny
Thanks - Posted by Dan on April 16, 2008 at 19:53:36:
Thank you to all those people who came to the funeral and the party afterwards and the Mark James Ellis celebration of life.I remember our last Christmas together playing on the scalextrix and the funny robot presents (haha) Missing Uncle Mark lots and lots since he was a great uncle and taken away too soon.
Love, Daniel Aged 7 (just)
Better Days - Posted by Dan on April 17, 2008 at 19:00:10:
Since Uncle Mark died,I have remembered him much much more than I would have otherwise.
I can just imagine him now. And even though he had had his death, God will help us to cheer up about it.
Even more love,(to Uncle Mark and his friends)
Daniel (I've already posted my age)
Jimmy Jazz - Posted by nick on April 21, 2008 at 22:52:10:
As he was known to the good (and bad!) folk of the Barnsley FC fans' forum site.
Apart from on the www I had the good fortune to meet Mark in the real world on a handful of occasions (HMHB concerts, brewery trips, prematch drinkies). Always struck me as an amiable character with an outlook on life not too far from mine.
Rest in peace, lad. The town's a quieter place for your passing.
A Peel Man - Posted by lindsay mclaughlin on April 24, 2008 at 22:17:01:
Mark was one of the few people I could always discuss all kinds of bands with when other people said 'who?'. a dedicated HMHB fan, he would have gone to the show if he'd still been here. another one who make working with him a laugh. like everyone else, keep thinking he'll turn up on a night out......
Mark - Posted by Andy Jackson on April 25, 2008 at 08:18:32:
I will always affectionately remember Mark as the 'Beast from Barnsley' due to his unorthodox tackling on the 5-a-side pitch. To be fair he wasn't dirty just not the quickest to the ball.
I met Mark through Ian Wood who also sadly died recently. I like to think that if there is an afterlife then Mark & Woody will be having a beer, chewing the fat and listening to good music.
I will remember Mark as a man of humour and integrity, important qualities in my book.
PICTURES FROM THE HARLEQUIN 25/04/08 - Posted by lindsay mclaughlin on April 26, 2008 at 21:07:36:
a great night, with crowds of friends of Mark's, good beer and good music. I've posted pictures from the night, including the memorial guitar, plus some old pictures of Mark from housing days and later, feel free to copy them off there if there's any you like.
More Harlequin Photos - Posted by Maggs on April 27, 2008 at 14:32:58:
Thanks for posting the photos Lindsay. More on my facebook page if you follow this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12120&l=6ea4d&id=672968192
Mark Memorial Fund approaching £1500... - Posted by Maggs on April 27, 2008 at 15:03:51:
Thanks to everyone who has so generously donated money to the fund to be passed to Jail Guitar Doors in Mark's memory.
Altough we intend to donate the money raised so far (and the guitar) to Billy Bragg at the gig in Sheffiled on 30th April, I'll leave the fund open and will ensure any later donations get to JGDs - and tell you about it.
I'll also leave the memorial message board up for you to continue post your memories, thoughts and photos. Some time later in the year I will print the whole thing off for Mark's family.
He'd be very proud of you all, I'm sure.
Maggs x
mas@maspink.demon.co.uk
Missing Mark...... - Posted by Rich on May 02, 2008 at 20:40:15:
I just can't believe that I'm never going to see him again.
I think I see him out of the corner of an eye every day - do a double take and remember all over again.
I really miss him - especially on nights like this when we should be having a pointless conversation about something that he knows loads about & I just pretend to understand!I hope he knew how much he meant to us all.
Re: Missing Mark...... - Posted by Maggs on May 03, 2008 at 18:30:53:
If it helps, I did exactly the same thing at the Billy Bragg gig in Sheffield on Wednesday:
- I was marvelling at the surreal experience of sitting on the balcony looking down onto the stage and listening to him talk about Mark and I caught sight of his double walking thru the door at the opposite side of the auditorium, stand by the wall, listen to what he said and then walk out again. I was in tears at that point and I guess my mind was playing tricks on me, but it was a striking moment nonetheless.Maggs
Memories - Posted by Joan on May 03, 2008 at 10:26:30:
Thanks to everyone who has sent cards and letters - and contriuted to the memeorial site - memories of Mark. I have found them comforting - and it has helped fill in gaps in our knowledge of Mark.
As his sister I thought I'd like to share a memory with you all that you probably won't know...I think it is possibly the defining moment in Mark's political and social make up.
As kids - before all-day children's TV etc - we used to play board games. Who can forget the interminable Monopoly? I remember one specific game - pretty far in when there were many red hotels and green houses on the board but Mark's investments hadn't been so good and his money was diminishing...and, uncharacteristically he tipped up the board, spoiling the game and walked off. I suspect this moment might have been the dawning of Mark's awareness of the social injustice and his determination to be involved in righting some of the wrongs. Or maybe its just a coincidence?
Mark is a great brother - and as Rich says - not seeing him and his smiling face, and not being in the physical presence of his wonderful optimism is hard to accept. May he live on in all our memories
Mark Ellis - Posted by Simon Young on May 04, 2008 at 16:55:06:
One of the nicest blokes I've ever met and a good friend in and out of work.
First time I met him he walked in our office with Paisley shirt and sun tan. (I think he'd been To Corfu)
I spent many hours playing quiz machines with him at the pub at lunch and playing football. Will always remember him in that Brazil shirt of his.
Seen him with plenty of hang overs. I remember after one night at pop quiz and the next day him not doing a stroke at work as he was in such a state.
I never argued with him about politics but plenty of arguments about football. As a wednesday fan I remember going to Bramall Lane with him to see Barnsley beat United which made us both happy.I'll never forget him my life was richer for knowing him.
A fitting memorial - Posted by Billy Bragg on May 08, 2008 at 12:23:20:
I met with Mark's family and friends at my recent Sheffield gig where they handed me a cheque for £1500 in Mark's memory to be spent providing musical instruments in British prisons. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who donated and to assure you that the money raised in Mark's name will do justice to his memory.
I never knew Mark, but we were both Clash fans, united in the belief that you can make a difference through your actions. That is the spirit behind Jail Guitar Doors, which I set up in memory of Joe Strummer. Mark will now stand beside Joe, watching over us as we put into action the work that they have inspired.