James Mark Struthers 1961 - 2020

Celebration of Life, July 15th 2021

Word’s from a friend shared at the Celebration of Life

"We travelled together for more years than I’d care to remember and I miss those journeys and workdays......but I do not miss having to drag him out of bed as we sat outside with the car engine running.

He was truly appalling at getting out of his bed however he was truly wonderful at being Mark.

A man that couldn’t do enough for you, generous of time and money, adventurous of travel, warm hearted and kind , trusted and loyal colleague and friend."

Mark’s service at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on May 21st

Eulogy

Mark arrived in May 1961, the first born son of Mary and James. His life long fellow protagonist Nicolas arrived exactly a year and two weeks later.
Mark attended St John’s Sunday School and Valley Primary School eventually playing for their football team. At the age of 8, he started a decade long journey as he joined the then Life Boys which was the junior section of the Boys Brigade. This shaped Mark’s life and friendships for years to come. He was an integral part of their football team who swept all the trophies as St John’s platoon dominated the Kirkcaldy 4th company.
Mark attended Kirkcaldy High School where he demonstrated his ability to work with his hands. Leaving school at 16 with 4 O’levels, he started on what would be his one and only career with Scottish Power, then known as The South of Scotland Electricity Board. After two years training in Cumbernauld, Mark was then placed as a Mechanical Fitter at Longannet Power Station where he finished his apprenticeship. He then transferred to Methil Power Station less than 5 years later where he would be until the station closed in 1999. Mark returned to Longannet where he would see out his career taking early retirement when the station closed in 2016.
Mark loved to travel, his first big trip at the age of 7 was a marathon drive to Holland where he met his dutch cousins for the first time igniting a loving relationship that would endure a lifetime and beyond. Mark made for what he thought was a once in a lifetime trip to the United States and California in the early 90s. Little did he know he would be celebrating his parents golden anniversary and his 50th Birthday there too.
As a cousin and nephew, Mark was well loved by both sides of of his family and he spent a lot of his time with them throughout his life especially caring for his elderly aunts and uncles. Although never married, Mark had long term loving relationships although they did not endure the test of time. After being taught by his father, Mark excelled at Golf from an early age, placing in the Kinghorn Boys Open, a scratch tournament with boys many years older than himself. At the age of sixteen, Mark held a single figure handicap and regularly featured in the Dunnikeir Boys Prize Giving Ceremonies. He continued to enjoy playing golf all throughout his life.
We all have regrets and Mark had his fair share which never left him. Marks first struggles with alcoholism became apparent over a decade ago and so began a constant battle through rehabilitation and sobriety ultimately taking Mark from us far too early.
Mark is survived by his mother Mary, his brother Nicolas and his sister in-law Julie. He leaves behind many family members and friends.

Message to Mark from the family, the words of which may resonate with you as well.

Mark,
There are too many things we still need to say

There are too many things we should still be doing together

You have departed far too early leaving such a void in our lives

Our love for you is no longer tearing us apart  but will bring us together

We miss you so much

You have captured our hearts in so many ways

With your charm

Your desire to help others in any way you can

The way you told your stories and how they grew over time

Your love of music, which you may have shared with us a bit too often

We argued with you

We got frustrated by you

We cried with you

We shared our dreams and our demons with you

You were sometimes not there for us but you were always there for us

We laughed with you

We drank, danced and sung with you

We skied, quizzed and holidayed with you

We watched football and wildlife with you

We played and listened to music with you

We worked with you
Whether in the depths of a power station or at the end of a ladder 20ft up, you were always there to help

We played Football, Badminton and Snooker with you

We played Golf with you in which you had a real passion and talent

As for the guitar, we have to say you had a real passion

You have left us with so many memories that will bring us comfort in the future

Mark,
You have lost your battle against this demon

But you have already won our hearts many times over

A good friend has said “I could throttle him at times but I love him to bits”

There is one last thing you need to know

You tried so so hard to beat this demon disease but it was not to be

No need for you to say sorry

We love you Mark, there is nothing to forgive, Rest In Peace

Thank You from the Family

On behalf of myself Nicolas, my mum Mary and my wife, Julie, I would like to thank everyone for their kindness, love and compassion in this difficult time
Mark himself would have been overwhelmed by such a response and he will rest easy knowing we are in such good hands
We would like to extend an invitation for everyone to join us to celebrate Mark’s Life sometime in the future
Our sincerest gratitude

Mark's ashes were interned on July 8th in the Kinghorn Cemetery.

The plot is located at the top left quadrant of the grave yard on the slope.