Mark “Loj” was a familiar face around Rochester’s hockey scene for nearly two decades, and his passing has left friends, teammates and the wider local hockey community mourning a man they knew as much for his friendship as for his love of the game.
Mark became part of the Rochester hockey community in the mid-2000s while working at ESL Hockey Arena. Years later, he remained a regular at Lakeshore Hockey Arena, where Thursday night hockey brought him together with friends and teammates on the Fat Guys.
For the people who knew him there, Mark was not simply another player showing up for a game. He became one of those familiar faces who seemed to be part of the rink itself. His connection to Lakeshore grew over the years, and so did the friendships he made around the ice.
Mark was also known as the “godfather” of the Tourney of Beers. He helped create the event, which became a notable part of the local hockey scene. His involvement showed how much he enjoyed bringing hockey people together, even when he was not on the ice.
Friends are remembering Mark as a great guy, an old teammate and, above all, a friend. Names including Kerbs, Bobby, Jeff and Corey are part of the circle of people who shared time with him and now find themselves looking back on years of games, conversations and memories.
His recent marriage to Tammy has also become part of the tributes being shared in his memory. Mark and Tammy were married in Turks and Caicos in January, and a friend who had designed their wedding logo later used parts of that design for a memorial tribute.
The tribute included photographs of Mark and Tammy, along with pictures of his dogs and the puck from the Penalty Box Pub logo. The details were personal reminders of the people, places and moments that were important to Mark and those closest to him.
For Tammy, Mark’s family and his closest friends, his death has brought a painful loss. For the Rochester hockey community, it also means saying goodbye to someone who had been part of its story for years.
Mark’s connection to hockey went beyond the games themselves. He helped create an event, played with friends, spent countless nights around the rink and built relationships that lasted well beyond a single season. That is what many people are now holding onto as they remember him.
The people who shared the ice with Mark will remember the Thursday nights, the teammates, the laughs and the many ordinary moments that became meaningful over time. At Lakeshore, he was a familiar presence, and his absence will be felt by the people who knew him there.
Mark “Loj” is being remembered by his wife Tammy, his family, friends, teammates and the many people he met through Rochester hockey. For those who knew him, the memories built around the rink will remain a lasting part of his story.
Rest in peace, Loj.
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