Mark O.Gabirelson, 56 of 4320 13.75 Rd., Escanaba died Friday Morning April 29,2005 at Marquette General Hospital following a massive stroke. Born May 26,1948, Mark grew up in Gladstone above Pewee’s Grocery Store owned and operated by his parents Oliver (Pewee) and Marquerite Gabrielson.

Mark was a 1966 graduate of Holy Name High School and attended Michigan Technological University. He was employed by the University in the biology lab for four years as a certified Animal Care Technician. In 1972, Mark earned a Certificate in Industrial and Educational Television in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He recieved as Associate Degree in Drafting and Design from Bay De Noc College and was employed by Bay to coordinate the Design Center Program from 1975 - 1979.

For the past 24 years, Mark was employed by the U.S. Forest Service as a graphic artist, His work included designing historic and informational signs located throughout the Upper Peninsula, drawing illustrations for brochures and pamplets, and designing and building exhibits for the Forest Service. His artwork was featured on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree card in 1981 commerorating the 50th anniversary of the Hiawatha Forest. Mark was also actively involved with the Delta County Historical Society creating the existing “Identifier Signs” in Ludington Park and designing the railroad room addition to the museum.

Mark inherited his artistic abilities from his mother, who came to the United States from Paris, France after meeting his father while on military duty there. Mark was strongly influenced by his European ancestry and his French speaking grandfather, Antoine Mansuet, who lived with the family for the first ten years of Mark’s life. His grandfather gave him an African mask which became the first of an extensive collection which has been exhibited at Bay de Noc Community College, Northern Michigan University and several other Michigan colleges. Mark enjoyed studing the cultures, languages, and religions of the world. He was an avid reader, book collector, and was an accomplished photographer.

Most reciently, Mark’s time and artistic talents were shared through activities with his son, Thomas. He enjoyed his envolment with Franklin Elementary School, Cub Scouts, and baseball. Mark and Thomas were avid model railroad enthusiasts and were members of Escanaba’s model train club. He designed and built intricate scale models which are now part of their permanent large display.

He leaves to survive his much loved son, Thomas Edward Gabrielson, age 7, Thomas’s mother Mary R. Williams and sons Jason and Luke Williams, Uncle, Melvin (Carol) Gabrielson of Gladstone and other aunts and cousins. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver “Pewee” and Marguerite Gabrielson and his grandfather, Antoine Mansuet.

Friends may call at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba on Tuesday, May 3rd from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral services for Mark Gabrielson will be held at 7:00 PM Tuesday with Fr. Gilbert Neurohr officiating. Burial will be in the Gabrielson Family Plot in Fernwood Cemetery.

The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes are assisting the Gabrielson Family.