Condolence: My heart goes out to all of those who were fortunate enough to have their lives touched by Mark. I still cannot believe that this incredibly bright, funny, caring, skilled, gifted, gregarious, wonderful, loving man has left us. It's hard to imagine the Pennsylvania countryside without him. Mark worked hard and played hard. He gave everything he had to those in need, and he gave back to everyone who had ever helped him. His smile and laughter were contagious, and his joy was magnified because of its contrast to his poignant life experiences. He loved with all of his heart and had a way of making everyone around him feel important. I'll never forget the times we spent together. I am sorry that I will not have the opportunity to see him again, however briefly, in this lifetime. He changed my life, and I will never forget him.

Condolence: I am very sorry to hear of mark's passing. Ive known him for about 10 years and he was never lost for word's always had a great smile and a joke i will miss his call's in the middle of the night to tow his car's he will be missed dearly Jim

Condolence: I was looking forward to seeing Mark at our next high school class reunion. I'll miss him instead. In reading his obit, I was happy to learn of the great success he enjoyed in this life. For those of us who rise up from burned out mining towns, Mark's life is not surprising. My condolences to his children and his brother Tom. Sam Rauch

Condolence: to Mark,s family:Mark was a very good friend of ours. he was well liked by many. Mark stopped in about once a month,he would buy an antique car, and we would do the title work for him. he would tell us a car story, and he would be on his way. he really was a good friend of ours. he will be sadly missed by us. rt 34 auto sales George & Beatie

Condolence: Mark was a brilliant person and one of the best story tellers I ever had the pleasure to know. When he was an intern and eventually an attending orthopod at Community General Osteopathic Hospital, he would mesmerize me and all the other physicians in the surgical lounge between cases with his wonderful stories about football, fishing, unique cases and his views on life, etc. He had a lust for life and an infectious loud chuckle. Vicki Tanner above related a story of how he knocked over a tray of obstetrical surgical instruments when he assisted me on a delivery. Mark was fresh out of med school and to show how eager he was to learn he got so involved with seeing, doing and learning that he just forgot the surgical tray was there and accidentally knocked it over. No problems within seconds we had another tray and pack open in the room. I was impressed with him just to see how he was so eager to learn. I am retired now but I know he will be missed by all who recently worked with him and especially his family and close friends and current patients.

Condolence: The news of the death of Dr. Mark Holencik has saddened me deeply. I have been a patient of Dr. Holencik since 1999 and my late husband three years before that. We both trusted him completely, whether it was for a surgical procedure or a treatment of a conservative nature. The medical society has truly lost a very compassionate, intelligent, and excellent surgeon.

Condolence: My deepest sympathy to Mark's family. Even though we may see each other very little after graduation, high school classmate friendships and memories seem to be the firmest and longest lasting. Though I had only seen Mark a few times after high school with the last time being about 15 years ago at our 25th reunion, it feels as if we graduated just a few years ago and many of my memories of him still seem very fresh and recent. Family and friends, I am sorry for your loss, but please know that Mark was a great classmate, team mate and friend.

Condolence: Sincerest condolences on the passing of a great man and wonderful neighbor. I remember when Dr Mark moved into the valley. My father, a farmer and resident of Erly Rd for 40 years, who has always grumbled under his breath about the "flat landers" moving in, was intrigued with the man whose cigar he could smell wafting up the valley in the summer air. Then Dr Mark started to drive his remarkable vehicles up the road past my father's house, usually with one of those very cigars. (I can still invision him now, white convertable with a picnic basket in the back and a large cigar) The first time I, my father, or mother, were ever formally introduced to this very interesting man was at the Bowers' picnic and by the time we left my cheeks were sore from smiling and laughing. In the years that followed, Dr Mark would pop in to visit the 'ole man on the porch and I know my Father looked foward to those visits immensely. He still complains about the "flat landers" moving into the valley, but I know Dr Mark will never be counted among them. He will forever and always be a special neighbor, friend, and part of Erly Rd. Sincerely, Laura McGarvey Miller

Condolence: I was saddened to hear of Mark's passing. In 1992, when my son was 14, he cut his foot while wading in a stream. Even though he had received prompt medical attention, it became infected. It was only because of Mark's willingness to fit my son into his busy schedule by seeing him over his Friday lunch time and operating on him on a Saturday morning that his foot and maybe his life was saved. I think of him often and thank God for bringing him into our lives at that time.

Condolence: Dear friends and family of Mark. I had heard Mark was in the hospital and was saddened to hear of his passing. When Mark was still an intern I remember many mornings at breakfast his regaling us with some of the interesting nights he had on call. His favorite saying was "My God, I'm meant to be an orthopod, not do.... One night he was on call with Dr. Gary Lewis, an OB-GYN and he (Mark) upended the whole surgical delivery tray. What a sight that must have been. I pray that God gives you peace and that with the many wonderful stories and memories that colleagues and coworkers share with you that you can smile and say, Yup, that's Mark.