Mark D. Casler entered this world at 4 lb. 7 oz. on Sept. 3, 1964, one month before he was due. He was an adorable baby and child, blonde hair and had the cutest little face. Even as an adult, Mark still maintained the baby face that I loved so much. When he was 5 yrs. old, he showed an interest in playing the Yamaha organ in the living room. We hired a teacher for him and eight months later, his teacher said”can’t teach him any more, he’s making up his own music/songs”!! And Mark’s talent took off !

As a teenager, Mark formed his own band and his talent flourished. It was his”passion”. Mark played the piano and organ keyboards, the guitar, and was”lead” singer in the band. Drove me crazy because his band set up practices in my garage, which upset the neighbors with their loud music. But they persisted!

Mark married in his early twenties and had two beautiful children, Brandon and Brittany. Marriage survived for about 15 yrs. After the divorce, Mark was a broken man. He missed his children and the feeling of having that family unit. He was very depressed for a long time. I don’t think he ever recuperated from that experience.

As his mother, I knew and remember a sweet, loving, gentle man who would never initiate an argument or say anything bad about anyone. He treated everyone with respect and kindness. He was soft spoken, mannerly, and always low key. He struggled with life for the last 10 years. He wanted a place to fit in again. He just wanted to be loved and belong.

I feel Mark had so much more to give and was never truly happy again. He was a simple down to earth man who appreciated small things. He was an amazing musician. I am still in awe of how musically talented he was. He so deserved another chance in life to find true happiness.

I know in my heart Mark would have wanted to be an organ donor after his death.He was a loving, kind soul and would have wanted to help others. Mark’s liver was transplanted into a 67 yr. old gentleman here in Florida whose own liver failed due to scarring of the liver. Mark’s kidneys were donated to two ladies here in Florida, as well, who are now free from the constraints of daily dialysis. Mark was also a tissue donor. These gifts of life have enabled others to live or have a better quality of life. Rest in peace, my son. I love you, I miss you, and I will see you one day soon. Play those keys for the Lord, my son.