Janet and Aleks Popovic (friend)

Entered September 13, 2018 from Kitchener

Rest in peace my friend. You fought the good fight and never lost your sense of humor.
May your family find peace in knowing that you loved them deeply and will always be with them.

Irene Lee (Colleague)

Entered September 14, 2018 from Centennial College

Dear Mark, you surely made a great and positive impact to students and staff here at the college. I truly respect your passion, strong mind and positiveness. You will be greatly missed. Praying god that you will rest in peace. Thank you Mark.

Michelle Reid (Colleague)

Entered September 14, 2018

Mark, it was a pleasure to work with another employee who shared the same passion towards students. May your family find comfort in knowing that you are now at peace.

Marie-Josée & Tony (Friends)

Entered September 14, 2018 from MISSISSAUGA

Great personality & very outgoing, you will be missed Mark. My heart goes out to you my dear friend Najat and to you Leila. We are thinking about you, if there is anything we can do to help. May you find comfort and peace and know that you are not alone.

Antoinette Ryall (Old running buddy)

Entered September 14, 2018 from Mississauga

I am so sorry for your loss Najat and Leila.
Mark was a super guy!!! He was always positive and loved his running achievements.
My love and prayers go with you.

Antoinette

Mark’s career was primarily focused on Higher Education. For the past decade he was Centennial College’s Regional Manager for South Asia and the Middle East. His work focused on promoting Centennial College and Canada as a study destination and included establishing an office in Bangalore India. His selflessness was demonstrated by the direct support he provided to many colleges across the Ontario college system with their recruitment strategies and plans. During his extensive travels, India captured his heart. After his cancer diagnosis he established the Centennial International Desi Academic Scholarship fund and with the support of friends and colleagues from around the world raised 342,000.00 to support Indian women studying at Centennial college.

I first met Mark on the back of a garbage truck in 1980. We were summer students working for the City of Etobicoke. We became great friends during our single years and there was never a dull moment when Mark was around. He was a sports fanatic and he loved his Blue Jays and Leafs. Many a Saturday afternoon his radio was tuned in to the Jays. I remember watching a World Series game with him at the Skydome. Mark was the definition of “cool” back then. The guys wanted to be like him and the girls with him. He even had his share of fisticuffs when necessary. I never saw him start a fight but he sure knew how to finish them. He was as tough as they come and strong as a bull. One time we went on a trip to Acapulco. Mark never talked about this but he displayed an incredible act of courage while there. One day a young girl was being swept into the undercurrent in Acapulco Bay and Mark swam out to her and literally saved her life. He was never one to blow his own horn. He was the most compassionate person I have ever met. When he worked at the Eaton Centre, in Toronto, he took an interest in and helped many of the street people he would pass on the streets every day. He knew many of them by name. I am glad that Mark was blessed with having the best friend anyone could have in Craig Fenn. Craig would have done anything for Mark and Mark for him. Truly a great friendship. The world has lost a giant of a man in Mark Coote the likes of which we may never see again. He made this world a better place for so many others to live in. He was a difference maker! He leaves behind a tremendous legacy and a loving family. I believe when we pass away we go to a far better place. I know Mark is in that place.