Mark Boock
February 21, 2009
Mark
Boock, 57, a lifelong resident of South Scranton died Saturday when he was
stricken ill while photographing the Scranton Fire Department fighting a South
Scranton house fire. He and his wife the
former MaryAnn Crolick celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on
February 21, 2009.
He
was born in Scranton, the son of Gloria Biggs Boock, Scranton and the late
William G. “Buddy” Boock. He was a
member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, educated in the Scranton Public
School system and graduated from Scranton Technical High School, Class of 1970.
He graduated from the Johnson School of
Technology as a carpenter and cabinet maker, Class of 1973 and the Armstrong
Flooring School Installation of Flooring, Class of 1973.
He was a founding member and past
president of the Anthracite Post Card Club, a member of the Lackawanna
Historical Society and an honorary member of the International Association of
Fire Fighters Scranton Local 60. He was
employed as a carpenter and cabinet maker for 37 years; he worked for American
Cabinet, Haynos Kitchens, Gleason Kitchens and most recently Quaker Maid Kitchen
as a customer service representative.
He had a passion for Scranton history, with special interest in the Scranton Fire Department. He became recognized as the historian of the Scranton Fire Department, often receiving requests for information on older members of the department. He authored two books about the Scranton Fire Department as he wanted to permanently document the history of the department. The books were; The Pictorial History of the Scranton Fire Department, 1988 and Where Duty Calls, There You Will Find Us-Fire Fighting in Scranton, PA, 1996.
He was a great advocate for the
Scranton Fire Department and worked to document and preserve the past and
present history of the fire department.
He was often seen at the scene of Scranton fires and attended their
various functions to capture the moments on film.
He has passed on his love of Scranton history and the Scranton Fired
Department to his son’s, who will carry on the tradition in his loving memory.
He was the proud owner of a 1929
Brockway fire engine and had a great love of music, spending weekends searching
for something new to add to his collection of music.
Although he had many medical challenges to overcome he was known for his quick
wit and keen sense of humor. He was
always a loving, caring and generous husband, son, father, grandfather, brother,
uncle, nephew, cousin and friend who will be greatly missed.
Also surviving are two sons,
William G. Boock and his wife Darlene, Scranton, Gregory J. Boock, Scranton; two
grandchildren, William Mark Boock and Avah Mary Boock; a brother, Bruce Boock,
Mountain Top; an aunt, Ethel Sealey, Scranton; cousins, nieces, nephews and his
furry son, Benjy.
He was preceded in death by an
infant sister, Sandra Boock; two aunts, Elva Walsh and Louise Kuhn.
The
funeral will be Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. from the Miller Bean Funeral Home, Inc.,
436 Cedar Avenue, with Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church., 630
Genet St. Scranton. Interment will follow in the Dunmore Cemetery, Dunmore.
Friends may call on Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m.
