In Celebration of

Mark Allen Chadbourne

May 27, 1935 -  March 29, 2025

Mark Allen Chadbourne, a beloved brother, uncle, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully in 2025, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and service. He is survived by his cherished brother, Carol Chadbourne, and the immediate family of his late brother, Jack Chadbourne and his late wife Dawn Chadbourne, Dennis, Dayle (Pat), Dave (Cindy), Valerie, and Derek. Mark is also mourned by Jack's grandchildren: Caitlin, Carly, Alexander, Ben, MacKechnie, and Jack, as well as his great-grandchild, Laramie.

He was predeceased by his father, Dennis, mother, Mae, brother, Jack, niece Linda, and grandnephew John Cody.

Mark was an exceptional uncle and a supportive colleague, always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. Born in Widdifield Township, he enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life, which included passions such as race car driving, fishing, and hunting during his younger years.

Professionally, Mark had a rewarding career as a dedicated teacher at Chippewa Secondary High School in North Bay and Sir Wilfred Laurier Collegiate Institute (SWLCI) in Scarborough, Ontario. Following his retirement, he embraced volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, where he helped build affordable homes for families in Toronto and around the world. His commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others was evident throughout his life.

Mark's contributions were acknowledged through several accolades, including:

- A letter of praise from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for his work in the Drug Information Students Program “Just Say NO” at SWLCI.

- Nomination for the Anson S. Taylor Award by the Board of Education, City of Scarborough.

- The Ontario Solicitor General’s Crime Prevention Award from the Ontario Ministry of Correctional Services for his work with the Corrective Shoplifter’s Program.

- The Stephen P. Clark Award for his efforts with Habitat for Humanity in South Florida.

- Jim Carter Work Projects organized through Habitat for Humanity in South Korea, South Africa, Mexico, Georgia, South Dakota (first indigenous build)

- Habitat for Humanity Blitz Builds in Toronto (multiple builds), Montreal, Miami, Dallas, Detroit, New Orleans
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Dr. David Fields and the compassionate staff at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto for their exceptional care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mark's name to your local Habitat for Humanity and /or Daily Bread Food Bank to continue his legacy of helping those in need.

A celebration of Mark’s life and burial will be held at Martyn’s Funeral Home (North Bay) in July 2025.

Guestbook 

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marian eta simon (friend)

Entered April 4, 2025 from thornhill

My heartfelt condolences to the Chadbourne family. 57 years of memories that will stay with me forever. R.I.P. my friend ,with love always

Clare Wittmann (Former Colleague)

Entered April 5, 2025 from Collingwood, ON

I met Mark in 2000 while working at Habitat for Humanity in Toronto. His passion for, and dedication to those less fortunate was beyond generous. He was kind and supportive. Determined to do whatever he could to make things better for others, he led by example. He worked harder than anyone I knew. His goal was always to make things just a little better for others. He actually made things enormously better. Thank you Mark, for all you gave to so many. Rest in peace, my friend.

Craig Muir (He was my teacher)

Entered April 5, 2025 from Parry Sound

Mr Chadbourne was my Constuction teacher at Laurier Collegiate in Scarborough. He was unequivocally my favorite teacher in high school. A kind and patient man, he was an inspiration and first class mentor. I was working on a project that would take more hours than class time would allow and he would stay much later than required so I could work on my desk project. He had another student that had Tourette’s that was struggling in class and asked if I would help mentor him as a fellow student after school. It was a very rewarding experience.
Mr Chadbourne nominated me for the Senior Technical Proficiency Award at Laurier, which I won thanks to his mentorship. He was the kindest, most committed teacher I had in high school. We kept in touch for several years after I graduated and I used to pick him up at his house in Leaside and he would bravely ride on the back of my motorcycle and go for lunch at various places on Bayview Avenue.
Mark was an inspiration. A first class mentor. I supremely giving man who never asked for anything in return. He never told us where he was from. Said he was born in Podunc Ontario. Podunc doesn’t exist. He even lent me his car, an Eagle Talon to get some things I needed for my desk project. When you are used to driving jalopies a Talon was the cat’s meow. I used to see him at Habitat for Humanity occasionally in Toronto where he donated his time and in the winter worked with president Jimmy Carter on Habitat projects in the winter. Mark, as he told me to call him after I graduated from high school, was the kindest, most giving and wonderful man I ever had the privilege of knowing. Society has lost one of its finest. I was deeply saddened to hear this news today. Hit me hard. His kindness, giving, and mentorship is something I’ve strived to copy in my life. Rest in peace Mr Chadbourne. To quote Bessie Anderson Stanley “He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men, and the love of little children; who had filled his niche and accomplished his task, who has left the world better than he found it, whether an improved poppy, or a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; who’s life was an inspiration, who’s memory and benediction.” That is Mr Chadbourne in a nutshell. Warmest regards to his surviving family. May we all strive to be the man Mark was.
Craig Muir

John Kenny (Friend)

Entered April 6, 2025 from Raleigh

Oh, I was so fortunate to have caught up with Mark on my last visit to Toronto in September of 2024. Mark was always a mentor and a role model that anyone who was in contact with him was blessed by.
He taught me, and I learned a lot from him. He will be missed by many but I know that we will reunite again, just look for the new constriction, and you will find Mark again.

Love you always Mark, Rest in Peace my friend.

Mike Hainey (Student)

Entered April 7, 2025 from Ajax

I was a student of Mark’s at Laurier Collegiate in the late 1980’s. His impact on me as a young person was great. I was part of the “Drug Information Students” program as a leader of the group. He taught me how to lead and be an example to others with kindness and honesty. Although we lost touch over the years, I always remember his guidance and friendship, and that will remain with me forever. He is sadly missed.

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