I pledged with Mark at Sigma Pi, and am truly saddened to hear of his untimely passing. Joe is correct, he fully represented kindness and human decency. And winning, always with humility. That is the Penn State way that, for me, MH always embodied. He embraced challenges (like the Phi Psi 500, look that one up.) I went to a hundred weddings in the 80s, but theirs is one I remember, especially Jane's dad walking her down the aisle in a straw hat. It was about the coolest thing I had ever seen and I felt then very lucky to be around such caring , authentic people. My thoughts today are with everyone Mark ever knew and loved.
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The last time we saw him was in March. I will never forget a friend leaving her purse at the Hanlon‘s home. We were on our way to the airport. We called Mark. He said he would meet us halfway to bring the purse to us -
He called five minutes later - we thought it was to pick a meeting place- he said he forgot the purse at home so he had to go back to the house.
Finally we met him at a corner gas station. The smile on his face. - it was just the funniest thing !!
I will never forget all the memories our families have shared - camping ,swim team, hikes and weddings.
Mark was an amazing spouse , dad. Grand dad and to us a very special friend.
He created a book for us after our Croatia yacht trip - I think I almost guilted him into it - his luggage got lost but that didn’t deter him for working out each day. He swam and when we docked he went for long runs.
We called him IronMan in the neighborhood.
You will always be with us Mark - ❤️
Much love to Jane and her amazing kids,
The Burford’s ❤️
3
“Mr. Hanlon” was a true example of someone who lived his life to the fullest. I always felt amazed with the next challenge Natalie told me he was going to take on — and knew he would do anything he put his mind to. He was (by far) the most athletic person I have ever met, and his competitive spirit is living on through his children.
I remember hearing about the triathlons and million mile races, but I got to witness Mark’s competitiveness at a “family fun night” with the summer swim team. Natalie and I are quickly rushed to get Mark as the mandatory adult on our team. We knew he would swim laps around any other adult there! Sure enough, when we secured our dream teammate, he started to talk strategy about who should go first and last for our relay race. Do I need to end the story by saying we totally destroyed every other team? I think you probably already knew that when I began, knowing the fierce competitor Mark was.
You all have the most special guardian angel in Mark now. I have no doubt he’ll be able to take care of the entire Hanlon family — with the stamina he had here, you have to know Mark as an angel will be bouncing from one family to the next, no problem.
Sending you all so much love, and so many prayers.
Love,
Krista & the Germanis Family
2
Mark Hanlon was one of the best men I’ve ever known in my life. Kind, caring, humble, a gentle spirit above all. I met Mark in 1980, when I joined a fraternity at Penn State where Mark would become the Sage, or President. We became friends immediately, easily, the way good friends do. We were roommates during senior year. I had the great honor of serving and speaking in Mark and Jane’s wedding, so many years ago. Life unfolded for us both; yet we always stayed in touch. I looked up to Mark, in the best way possible, in admiration and friendship. I loved Mark Hanlon, and will hold all of you in my prayers. As our Sigma Pi brothers would say, YITB, Mark. We all love you.
3
Jane and family, I am so sad and sorry for your enormous loss of your beloved Mark. I can't imagine how painful this must be and I am sending love and my thoughts re with you. May his s memory be for a blessing.
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2021, Steamboat Lake, Colorado
Mark and I preparing for a sprint triathlon. Mark was a wonderful mentor to me in the sport of triathlon and in striving for Team USA. I am grateful for his friendship and will forever think of him on the racecourse.
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