Mark William Loomis

Mark William Loomis

Born to life January 9, 1938, born to eternal life April 2, 2023. Mark is the beloved husband of Carol (nee Wolkerstorfer) Loomis and loving father of Anne (Rick Blair) Loomis of San Jose, CA, David Loomis of Buda, TX, Michael (Sophie Howlett) Loomis Los Angeles, CA and Peter Loomis of San Francisco, CA. He was also the cherished grandfather of Nicholas Blair of San Jose, CA, Gabriel Blair of San Jose, CA, Elva Loomis of Santa Monica, CA, Selkie Howlett-Loomis of Los Angeles, CA and Zephyrine Howlett-Loomis of Los Angeles, CA. and dear brother of Jane Cherny of Adamstown, MD. Mark is further survived by fond extended family member Shahrooz (Kristie) Farahbakhsh, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his devoted parents, Willard T. Loomis and Theresa Loomis.

Loving Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Dad, Teacher, Librarian, Coach, Artist, Craftsman, Papa Bird…

Mark Loomis was born in 1938 and raised in South Milwaukee. He attended South Milwaukee High School, followed by Marquette University where he majored in History and met his future wife, Carol.

After College, Mark served in the US Army Corps of Engineers from 1960-1962, and was stationed in Berlin when the Wall was built. Once he completed his tour of duty, Mark returned to Marquette, earning his teaching certificate and later M.A. in Library and Media Science. He also became a ski instructor with the Snowstar Ski Club, which he continued for the next 26 years.

In 1965 he married Carol, moved to the East Side of Milwaukee and began his career as a teacher, librarian and media specialist and more in the Milwaukee Public Schools. Mark played and coached tennis throughout, continuing even after he retired from MPS in 1996.

Shortly after Mark and Carol married, their daughter Anne arrived (1966), and sons David (1968), Michael (1970) and Peter (1975). They also opened their home to exchange students and foreign visitors, including Alex and Shahrooz, who became part of the extended family.

Mark’s next career began in 2003 when he started to make small wooden birds. His Birds at Rest have delighted people around the world and Mark continued to exhibit for the rest of his life. He loved collecting unique materials to use in his creations and share their origins.

Mark was a prolific reader and even more prolific photographer. He enjoyed road trips, biking, skiing and tennis. Mark and Carol loved to travel, often to visit friends and family, but also made many new friends around the world in Europe, Central and South America, China, the Holy Land, Australia, New Zealand and of course the United States. They treasure their Marriage Encounter friends and have also been deeply involved in Holy Family Parish, where Mark served as a Lector for many years.

He was thrilled by his five grandchildren. Mark read the best stories, assembled bicycles and tricycles, hung tire swings, built sandboxes, gave great bear hugs and went on countless walks and expeditions to parks, zoos and playgrounds.

Mark was (and is!) beloved by his family, friends and community and the world will not be the same without his physical presence. We will miss his loving heart, his gentle spirit, his sense of adventure, and his kind words, but we will see him every day in the people, places and creatures he loved.

“The days are not long enough. Take care, be kind, love each other, and keep in touch. Love to all.”       - Mark Loomis

Visitation will be held for Mark on Monday, April 17, 2023, from 10:30am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon, all at Holy Family Parish Church, 4825 North Wildwood Avenue, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin 53217. Private interment Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, Wisconsin.

The family requests donations to: St. Ben's Meal Program, Unbound or Fr. Alex (vidaycompasion.org).

"May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen."

To View a Video of Mark's Funeral Mass, please link to either of the following: 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1bgg9079h9srlt3/AADliN-ORPPq6bhXO7aJGniAa?dl=0

https://youtu.be/4KpPNnixQuM

Or click on the tribute video tab below.

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