In Fond Memory

Mr. Mark Aitken

A "New" Squaronian

Mark Aitken, American, died in a crash between his motorcycle, which he reportedly was driving, and a truck (said to have been a 10-wheeler) on May 20th, 2002 in the Nongkhai area.

Mark didn't live in Thailand full-time, and when he was here -- months on end each year -- his informal base was Nongkhai.  But he traveled a fair amount between there, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai, showing up on Washington Square perhaps two years before his untimely death in his early 40's.

Mark was a quiet man, given to dry humor a a quick wit.  Quiet enough that some of the Old Thai Hands who have been frequenting the area for years are hard-pressed to place him.  Sadly, I've been unable to locate a photograph of him, which would be nice to have, both for this Memorial Page and to help fellow Squaronians and others jog their memories -- Mark was the kind of man whom everyone would remember immediately, I'm sure, were they but able to see his image.

Above all, perhaps, was that Mark was a . . . considerate man.  He was ever thoughtful of others -- other patrons, and the staff in the places he frequented.  It added that he had a ready, pleasant smile.

Those of us who do remember Mark were badly shocked when the report of his demise came in.  I know I personally took the fact as something of a body blow, as Mark and I had become good friends in a relatively short time.

Mark, on a personal note, I know I will always remember -- and miss -- you.  It always brought pleasure to my heart and a smile to my face whenever it was my good fortune to see you, or to chat with you on the phone.  You were a fine man who blended in easily, and one whose memory will always be honoured, and treasured.