Mark Cutter, BHS '64, Pass Away

 















Received this sad email today from Pam and Jon Kirkwood...

Dear Loopers...

It has been a very long time since we connected. We wish it were under happier circumstances that we are sending out this "Special Loop", which actually continues to be on hiatus...

We received the following news from our friend and classmate, Mickey DePalo '64...

Hi Pam and Jon,
Another member of Burbank High, class of 1964, has passed away. Mark Cutter passed away on December 5th, 2011. Mark has been living in Mariposa, California, near Fresno, for the past several years. He and his wonderful wife, Karen, called it their dream home. They were very happy living there, and made periodic trips to Burbank to see friends and Mark's sister, Carol Finkle, BHS, class of '62. Mark was a VERY PROUD Vietnam Veteran. Mark was a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran, with a Silver Star, three Soldiers Medals, and a Purple Heart among his many decorations. Mark was an outstanding example of a Vietnam veteran who came home, raised a family, and made many great contributions to his community. Mark cared for the welfare of not only veterans, but also for the welfare of everyone he encountered. Mark was also a valuable member of the City of Burbank Veterans Commemorative Committee. He and his wife Karen came up with the idea of shipping items to the men and women serving overseas soon after 9/11. They came up with the name Hands Across the Battlefield. The program has met with a great deal of success and through the generosity of the Burbank residents and surrounding communities, there has been over 40 tons of health and comfort items sent overseas. This would never have happened if not for Mark and Karen.

There will be a memorial service for Mark at the McCambridge Park War Memorials located at Amherst and San Fernando Road in Burbank, on Sunday December 18, 2011, at 1:00 p.m.

I ask everyone to keep Mark, his wife Karen, his children and grandchildren, his sister, Carol, and his entire family in their prayers.

Jon and I certainly have lots of happy memories of Mark. He was our building inspector when we added on to our home over 25 years ago...He was in the elevator at St. Jo's Hospital, bringing a new baby home, when we were bringing our twins home. Marc was at so many of the Veterans' Day and Memorial Day Ceremonies at McCambridge over the years...He worked tirelessly to make sure our troops were remembered with packages from "Hands Across the Battlefield"...He was a "Hometown Hero", for sure...

Those of you in the Burbank vicinity, please take time to stop by the McCambridge Park War Memorials on Sunday, Dec. 18th, 1p.m. to remember and honor our friend, Mark Cutter and to pay our respects to his family.

Jon and I also want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Blessed Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year...and to also remind you who have, for one reason or another, neglected to attend your Burbank High School Reunions...Plan to go to your next one...We are losing so many of our dear friends...don't wait until it is too late.

Love, Pam and Jon