Mark Houlker was born in Jamaica, West Indies on January 31, 1971 to Lyn and Keith M. Houlker Sr. Mark came to the United States at approximately age five (5) and grew up in Maplewood, NJ.  He attended and graduated from Columbia High School, in Maplewood, NJ.  After high school, Mark attended Bloomfield College where he pursued his culinary aspirations in becoming a chef. Mark loved to cook and entertain much like his mother; she taught him how to cook many dishes from his West Indian roots, especially oxtails (which were the best). Many of the men in his family learned to cook at a young age and Mark was no different.

Mark was the head chef at McLynn's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Springfield, NJ, for many years until the restaurants closing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020.  On his day off you would find him cooking or grilling dinner.  Honestly, I stopped by my aunt's all the time to visit but Wednesday evenings, I always knew would be a good time to enjoy one of Mark's meals. He worked an awful lot and took on many of the duties of others at the restaurant to ensure everything ran as it should.  He really went over and above in support of his friends and coworkers.  He loved life and was a good person to anyone he called a friend. He was literally the person who would give you the shirt off his back.

Even with working so hard he always found time to go fishing.  He loved fishing and camping! These were his past times, where he found himself at peace. His love for the outdoors showed when he returned with whatever he caught while fishing or just relaxing; he said this is where he felt life slowed for just a little while so you can be thankful for what you have.

He loved his parents and family, but he shared a special bond and friendship with his mother that was evident when they cooked or talked about their love for cooking. The one thing his mother regretted was having to leave her children for the US and especially Mark, who was the youngest.

Mark grew up to be a warm, welcoming, and kind person with a positive outlook on life and a fundamental faith in humanity. He could always put you at ease with his smile which just lit up the entire room. A beautiful and humble person never asked for anything and was always ready to give a helping hand in any way possible.

Mark is at peace! With his mom and the Lord who loves him most!

Thank you, Lord

Mark preceded the passing of his mother, Lyn Houlker, by 5 weeks and is survived by his father, Keith Houlker, Sr., (wife Simone) brothers; Michael Roberts (wife Michelle) Alvin Stanley (wife, Kay) and Colin Stanley (wife Audrey). And a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

GOD'S GARDEN

God looked around His garden and found an empty space.

Then He looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.

He placed His arms around you and lifted you to rest.

He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in Pain, He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So, He closed your eyes and whispered

"Peace Be Thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

Poem of Life

Life is but a stopping place,

A pause in what's to be,

A resting place along the road,

To sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,

Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn some things,

But never meant to stay…

Our Destination is a place,

Far greater than we know.

For some the journey's quicker,

For some the journey's slow.

And when the journey finally ends,

We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.