Mark Kantola

Mark William Kantola was born on June 23, 1950 at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, MI. He was the first born child of Alfred Victor and Margaret Isabelle Kantola. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Loraine Kantola and his brother Victor Kantola. He is survived by his sister Carolyn Kantola, brothers Jonathan (Annie) Kantola and Steve (Nancy Beghein) Kantola. He is also survived by sister-in-law Pam Kantola, niece Maggie (Janelle Palmer) Kantola, nephews Andy Kantola and Samuel Kantola. He was the proud great uncle of Ariahna Kantola (Samuel) and Josephine Kantola (Maggie and Janelle).

Mark was an old school craftsman who worked in the local marine industry for over four decades. He became a Master Boatwright who’s skill and tenacious attention to the quality of his work was driven by his personal standards for excellence. His long term employers (Bergmann Marine & Bellinger Marine) and his customers appreciated his obsessive attention to detail. Younger craftsmen entering the industry were the beneficiaries of his constant display of a good days work.

Mark was an avid outdoorsman who spent his entire life hunting and fishing with friends and family alike. In later years Mark immersed himself in cycling. He could average 30 to 50 miles a day and was extremely proud when he reached 25,000 miles on local roads. He participated in the Northern Michigan Ice Man race and other off road races in the state. He always finished competitively in his age group.

Mark was a fiercely loyal friend and a special older brother who’s “stealth” humor will be greatly missed by many.  His passing was premature and the sense of loss by friends and family shall linger.

A memorial celebration is to be held on March 11, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at the Charlevoix Elks Club on Petoskey Ave., in Charlevoix.

Donations in Mark’s memory may be directed to the Charlevoix Rod and Gun Club or The American Heart Association.

Please visit Mark’s online guestbook at www.winchesterfuneralhome.com to share your memories or condolences with his family.