To a man who noticed and brightened the light in everything and everyone around him

Your memory is a treasure I will forever hold in my heart

Your love will keep me strong

Mark was born in Vancouver to May and John van Manen on August 11, 1960.  The family, including older brother Bob moved to Burnaby when Mark was very young.  Over 25 years ago Mark bought a house in Lions Bay where he happily lived with his partner Heide Eden for the past decade

At a young age Mark picked up a camera and this was the beginning of a lifelong love affair spanning from film through the advancements of digital photography.  Nothing seemed to excite him more than getting his hands on a new state of the art Nikon.  Good food, beer, wine, and time with friends was also a passion.  He normally had the menu for a fabulous dinner planned before breakfast was done.

Mark and Ian Lindsay, another photographer from the paper, bought their first boat together in the early 80s and this turned into a 40-some year fishing and boating saga which saw Ian’s sons Paul and Adrian growing up enjoying Mark’s company, cooking and epic and amusing adventures.

Mark always lived life to the fullest and loved traveling, boating, skiing and golf.  Over the last decade or so Heide was his chief companion and co-conspirator in countless more adventures.

On March 9th 2019, Mark lost his courageous and defiant battle with cancer.  Mark is survived and dearly missed by his partner Heide Eden, aunt Doris Coleman and her husband Ron, uncle Alex Cook, cousin Anne Budenburg, cousin Graeme Cook and his wife Debbie, cousin Alister Cook, and cousin Liesbeth Petrus and her husband Eric.  He is also deeply missed by the Lindsay family and the Keay family who considered him nothing less than family.

Memorial Service to honour Mark will be held at Gleneagles Golf Course (6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver) on Friday, March 22nd at 2pm.

For all of you who loved his larger than life ways and generous heart, we hope to see you there.

If you wish, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Society.