South Woodstock, VT -

Mark "Sparky" Whitcomb, 54, died peacefully at 7:14 AM on Friday, April 22 in his and Marina's home in South Woodstock, VT, following a long illness.

Mark was born on October 5, 1956 in Portland, Oregon to Harold "Whit" Whitcomb and Mary Jo Whitcomb (Harris). Mark grew up moving a great deal throughout his younger years due to his father's military service with the Air Force, traveling with his family to Europe and all over America until settling in Proctorsville, VT at the start of the 1970s. Living in Chester, VT, Mark graduated from Green Mountain Union High School in 1974, and studied art and majored in education at Johnson State College in Johnson, VT from 1974–1977.

He was beloved by many and an invaluable friend, willing to do whatever was asked of him. Long-time friend Terry Williams said, "Sparky had the perfect name: always ready to laugh, to animate any situation, turn the negative into a positive, and instigate a little harmless trouble. So honest and confident. Anyone who had Sparky as a friend knows what a true friend is all about."

Mark was a gentle soul who worked all his life and loved to draw. He created logos for numerous companies in Vermont, did promotional artwork for local bands, organizations, baseball teams, and events, and priceless cartoons and cards for friends and family. His earliest published comics work appeared in Abyss (Johnson College Press, 1976). In 2010 and earlier in 2011, Mark contributed work to two anthologies published by the New England cartooning collective the Trees & Hills Group.

Mark was a pitcher for the Chester, VT-based Pioneer House softball team the Pioneer Muggers. He was employed throughout his life, most recently by Rauhau, and by Kiosko in North Springfield, VT. Mark continued to travel until poor health slowed him down, including recent trips to the Florida Keys in 2005 and 2007, fishing for tarpon and shark. In 2008 he reconnected with the love of his life, Marina Perkins of Quechee, VT. They were married on August 5, 2009, newlyweds to the end.

He is survived by his wife Marina; his mother Mary Jo Whitcomb of Charlestown, NH; his father Harold "Whit" Whitcomb and stepmother Marilyn of Londonderry, VT; and his younger brothers, Michael Whitcomb, of Reading, VT, and Matt Whitcomb, of Bellows Falls, VT. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Hazel and Bob Wyman, of Proctorville, VT.

Calling hours will be held at the Knight Funeral Home (93 Hartford Ave., White River Jct., VT) on Monday night, April 24th, from 6-8 PM, followed by a celebration of Mark's life at 8PM. Please bring any memories or photos you'd be willing to share. Donations can be made to Bayada Hospice, PO Box 1590, Norwich, VT 05055