CORNISH- Mark Allan Estes, 53, of Cornish, Maine, died July 15th at home, unexpectedly, in his sleep.
Mark was born in Portland, Maine to Gary A. Estes and Dorothy V (Martin) Estes.
Mark graduated from Sacopee Valley High School in 1986. He then joined the United States Army as an Army Airborne Paratrooper. Mark was deployed in operation "Just Cause", the invasion of Panama, and also deployed to Honduras. His unit could be anywhere in the world in 24 hours. Serving his country was something Mark was very proud of.
Mark's life revolved around his children, family and the outdoors. Mark was an avid hunter, trapper, and fisherman, and enjoyed many deep-sea fishing trips for sharks and ground fish with his father, son, and cousin on his boat, the Cari/srael, which he named after his two youngest children. There were many goose and duck hunting trips, with his daughters, son, and father.
Mark loved motorcycles and dirt bikes and also taught his children to ride and race at an early age.
Mark was also a horseman, and loved his Quarter horse mare, Jill, and his draft mule Marvelous Millie. He worked for a time driving sleigh horses at Nestlenook Farm & Resort. Mark also logged in the woods, and at one time logged with a pair of draft horses.
Mark was a soccer player in high school, and also playing baseball. He played baseball from Little League right through high school, and continued throughout the years, coaching boys Little League teams, and Sacopee Valley JV girls softball.
Mark was a houndsman, keeping and training coon and bear dogs for his own hunting enjoyment and had 14 hounds at one time. He shared his knowledge and experience with his children, and many up-and-coming young hunters.
Mark received an army commendation ribbon from South Com commander while stationed in Panama, for swimming through shark infested waters to rescue passengers and crew from singer Bob Dillon's schooner 'Water Pearl', which had run aground on a reef in 1988. He made 4 trips back and forth and did not know about the sharks until afterwards.
Mark is survived by his wife Lucy (Ridlon) Estes, his father Gary Estes, brother Christopher Estes and wife Cynthia, sisters Jane Miller and husband Darien, Beth Towle and husband Curt, his children, Ashley Guptill and husband Joel, Amanda Hogan and significant other Brandon Day, Cari Frost and husband Donald, his son Israel Estes and significant other Tatiana Hicks, six grandchildren Jacob, Liza, Levi, Oakley, Charlotte and Marlee, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A graveside service with military honors, will be held Thursday July 21, at 10 AM at Riverside Cemetery Cornish, Maine.
A pot-luck celebration of Mark's life and many stories will follow at the home of Gary Estes, West Baldwin, Me.
Mark was predeceased by his mother, and his son Christopher Mark Estes.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mark's name to Operation Delta Dogs, whose mission is to rescue homeless dogs, and train them to be service dogs for veterans.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com
- Celebrating the Lives of Veterans -