MARK MCLENNAN
Posted: June 10th, 2023
MARK MCLENNAN March 7, 1988 June 5, 2023 It is with profound sadness we announce that Mark Alex McLennan, 35, born in Medicine Hat on March 7, 1988; passed away in Edmonton, Alberta on June 5, 2023
Mark was deeply loved and will be missed by his Mom, Laurel (Maier) McLennan and his Dad, Jay McLennan.
He also leaves to cherish his memory his Grandma Helen McLennan and Grandma Helga Maier along with many Uncles, Aunts and cousins.
The family will remember Mark in private.
Donations may be made to Our Collective Journey (Suite 2, 660 2 St. SE Medicine Hat, T1A 0C9) or the charity of your choice.
My condolences to Mark’s family. Mark was a great colleague and will be etched in our hearts forever.
I had the pleasure of working with Mark for several years, until I retired. He brought joy to my day in the office and I will miss him.
My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Heartfelt sadness and condolences on Mark’s passing. May he rest in peace.
Dear Laurel and Jay,
I am deeply saddened to learn of Mark’s passing. I worked with Mark for a time and know first hand what a thoughtful, intelligent and kind human he was. He and I shared a love of the energy industry and spent much time chatting about related markets. He was so passionate about energy assets. I still smile thinking about how excited he was to visit energy sites across Alberta. Please know his passing will be deeply mourned be me and many GoA colleagues.
Georgia
We are sorry for your lost, Mark is a wondering colleague to us, he will be dearly missed. Rest in peace Mark.
My sincerest condolences to the McLennan family.
I met Mark almost 10 years ago at work, and he was always known for sharing his knowledge about our industry. He had many of us looking up words we never knew even existed. Among his intelligence and greatness in current events, he shared his wittiness and generosity with his work family. I am forever an NPR fan because of Mark. We miss him greatly and he will not be forgotten. Here is to the amazing work you put into everything you have done, to the French pressed coffee, the delicious smelling leftovers for lunch, cheese balls, and the Olly’s bacon strips.
With love
Sabrina
Mark was a great coworker. He was brilliant and worked so hard. I am glad I had the privilege to work with him for 10 years.
I’m so sorry for your loss
Mark was a colleague at Alberta Energy. He was intelligent, hard working and an entertaining young man.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
I realized this morning that I hadn’t heard from you in a few days. I googled your name somehow knowing what I would find but it doesn’t seem real. I still somehow hope it isn’t. I know you sometimes found it hard to believe but you were loved by more people than you knew. I will miss you so much. Rest in Peace my friend.
Tiffany
I am heartbroken to hear of Mark’s passing. Mark was so bright and kind. I enjoyed our times together and regret that thebpandemic interrupted our ability to see each other more often.
I wish Mark’s family the best.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends . May he rest in peace.
Very sad to hear of Mark’s passing. We met after I found his website (which was a bit short-lived due to some employer drama 🙂 and I had reached out. He liked hearing about my Calgary stories and eventually, we met for (too many) beers in Edmonton. Since then we’d occasionally touch base and I’d get many a smile out of his twitter. He was a singular person and I admired how fearless and witty he was. Wishing his family strength and to know that his passing makes me sad.
Sincere condolences to your grieving family. Mark was a special friend to me and I miss him dearly. His quirkiness and awkwardness were his most endearing qualities. He will be missed by many.
I pray he has found the peace he so desired and you are comforted by your memories of him.
May he rest in peace.
Your son provided immense value and fun to a wonderful investment community. We are so sad to hear of this news. Our deepest condolences to your family. He will be greatly missed.
I never had the opportunity to meet Mark in person, but he had a splendid wit and seemed wise beyond his years. A caring person. May his memory be eternal.
Thank you for your contributions to the #EFT community. He will be missed. With love, thoughts, and prayers to your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you🙏🌺
A true gentleman and lovely person all round on Twitter. Never met him in person but knew that he was a really good person. RIP Mark.
We were internet friends. I know that sounds silly to some people, but there is a hard core group of us that genuinely care about each other in the energy finance space. He told me “maybe I should move to Texas” last year. I “loved” the comment but never followed up. I should have persisted he come visit. I loved how he called out the BS. You’ll be missed SBA.
His witty contributions to the financial community will be missed. Rest in peace, friend.
He was a kind man and I will miss him deeply. I am still in shock. My heart goes out to his family.
I didn’t know Mark personally but followed his witty twitter posts. I exchanged a few posts with SBA on areas of common interest and found his thoughts to be thoughtful and inciting.
He will be missed.
My deepest condolences.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mark. My heart breaks for you Laurel and Jay. He was such a wise, and kind young man. Praying for strength and healing.
My deepest sympathies to Mark’s parents and his grandma’s. I worked with Mark at the Department of Energy. I will miss my friend. He was so so so so smart, kind, funny, and generous. We shared many stories of being ‘single children’. I will never forget him, or his knowledge. Rest in peace my friend!!! ❤️ 💙 💜
Mark was a nice gentle human being who always showed incredible kindness. This is incredibly sad RIP
I never got to meet Mark in person, I got to knew him through his Twitter alias “SBA” and never thought it was possible to be so close yet so far from a social media perspective. I really wish we got to finally meet for that coffee or beer to get to know Mark in person. I only learned now he was 35, through my interactions with him I could have sworn he was a retired industry veteran who just knew about everything.
I remembered this last Christmas Mark was sending out a bunch of cards with his alias SBA signed and I got sad I didn’t see my name in the list, low and behold he texted and he was way ahead of me and sent me a picture that I did indeed have a treasured SBA Christmas card coming in the mail. I’ll miss that
One of the great things about Mark was that he found a way to personally connect and be human through a platform that usually does not bring out people’s best intentions. I wish I got to know Mark more – there isn’t a person out there who got to know him through #COM or #EFT that isn’t thinking the same thing.
My thoughts are with the parents and friends and everyone wondering why someone so cherished and loved and bright needed to go so soon.
Thanks Mark for making my life and many others a reminder that there are some pretty incredible people out there.
You will be missed
Brock Warkentin
Mark was my friend first, colleague second. It’s so hard to put into words what he meant to me because there are no words deep enough for others to understand. Our time together was usually spontaneous since we liked the outdoors it was weather dependent. Walks, scootering, patios, folk fest. Summer is when our friendship flourished the most; I thought we were both looking fwd to this one. Our love of food & cocktails made us believe we were connoisseurs as we snapped photos of the not-so-fancy meals, lol. Mark’s quirky personality is what I loved the most about him. Pretty sure he made up words that should be in the dictionary. His oil & gas knowledge was so extensive I had to stop listening sometimes, lol. He was my absolute favourite nerd. I miss him so much already. I hope he knows this, and our friendship crosses his thoughts time to time while he rests in paradise. Love you, Mark.
When I think of Mark, this is what comes to mind: a witty person, full of knowledge about life, food and work and a caring person. Someone you could count on. He will be missed.
My condolences to you. It is very hard to grasp this.
You son touched many with his passion and enthusiasm for the energy sector. My deepest condolences to your family.
Mark was someone I regularly talked to on twitter. He was someone who always brightened my day and I am very saddened that he is no longer with us. He will be missed by many.
Jay and Laurel,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jenny
Your son had a tremendous understanding of our energy industry and used his passion and wit to make his point! My deepest condolences to you, Mark’s friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time!
Cooking without going tweet for tweet with you I will miss the most
You will not be forgotten my Twitter friend
I will honor you often and remember you for all time…
Jay so sorry for your loss.
Had the pleasure of seeing Mark at the office, so smart and helpful. Sending love to His family
I am so sorry for your loss. Mark was talented and kind with a great sense of humour and will be missed.
Our most sincere concolences to your family Laurel and Jay. I cant imagine the grief you are going through. Thinking of you during this difficult time and hoping the memories you have made with Mark will be a sense of comfort. Hugs
Mark/SBA was an online friend. He broadcast his intelligence, wit, and mercurial nature and soul to everyone. I did not meet him in real life as we all know real life and was hoping to do that in 2023. I wish all his friends and family the best and to know what an amazing person I think he was.
Dear Jay and Laurel,
We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mark. Please know you are in our prayers at this very difficult time.
Ken and Josie Jacobs and family
Didn’t know Mark, only knew SBA. Nonetheless, I’ll miss his fervent enthusiasm for Canadian O&G and his witty takes on everything else.
Condolences to his family and close friends. He will be missed.
Mark and I first met in junior high and became fast friends. His intelligence and wit was always entertaining and we kept in touch even after I moved away from Medicine Hat. I cherish the memories we have together. Teaching me about every drink they had at Starbucks (and how to order them), the long political debates online, watching movies at the theater, driving around in his BMW, and all the other humorous adventures he took us on. I’m so sorry for your loss Jay and Laurel. The adventures Mark shared and the treasure trove of knowledge he taught became formative memories for me and have helped shape who I am. Rest in peace Mark.
Chris
Jay & Laurel,
Sorry for you both. I’m now medically retired and not driving so I can’t be with you. But, you both are in our prayers.
STEVE
Mark was so much more than a colleague. He was funny, and caring, and generous, and intelligent, and quirky. It is the quirkiness I’ll miss the most. The breadth of his knowledge was incredible. He always had something to share about any current event, particularly energy related. Having a coffee crisis – ask Mark, looking for a new restaurant or bakery – Mark was the go to guy. Then there was his generosity – leaving treats on my desk, helping resolve a computer or IT challenge. He was a very special man and I will miss him a lot.
I had the pleasure of being one of his elementary school teachers. He was kind, joyful, curious, and so sweet. I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers
I knew Mark through his anonymous Twitter account, we spoke almost every day for over a year. He was a brilliant and incredibly caring person, I wish we’d had him forever but I’m grateful I had him as a part of my life for as long as I did. I will treasure the (poorly) handwritten note I have from him forever and the community he helped foster among so many of us.
Mark was my Twitter bestie. He liked my crap and retweeted it. Through this journey over years, I can say, he became my brother on Twitter. He had phenomenal intellect and wit. He did not agree with everything, but he was always witty even in disagreement. At the core of it, he was a good soul. He cared. He loved planes too and he was a nerd. A cool nerd
What pains me through all this, I would get on a plane to meet Mark if he needed help. He was out there, cheering and building a community we call EFT (Energy FinTwit), but he never asked anyone of us for help, personally or professionally. He was always giving and sharing and caring.
I cannot wait to have a drink with him on the other side! God calls the best ones back sooner. My sincere condolences to his family. I cannot even begin to imagine the depth and burden of your loss. I hope that you find strength in the fact that your Mark shone the light on several souls all over the world with his intellect, wit and humor. He will be greatly missed.
Mark was an amazing, loving, caring and intelligent individual. We communicated almost daily. Mark gave so much to the world in so many ways. It has been a blessing knowing him and I will be forever thankful of the conversations I had with him.
He will be missed dearly.
Much love to his family in this time of grieving. We lost a good one.
Mark was a kind, generous, and considerate man. I appreciated his inquisitive nature and that he always sought to understand whatever he came across. We both shared a keen interest in oil and gas, and in particular oil sands, and we often discussed the latest oil and gas news, especially what it would mean for the future of the company or industry. I will treasure the memories of Mark walking up to me with a beaming face and enthusiastically asking “Did you see the news …” and “What do you think about …”. I know we all will have our own special memory of Mark that we will treasure. To all Mark’s family and friends, please know that Mark touched many peoples’ lives, in many different ways, and I am grateful he chose to include me. Mark and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
“I try to make sense of things. Which is why, I guess I believe in destiny. There must be a reason that I am as I am. There must be.”
– Robin Williams
To Mark’s Family:
It is with the most incredible sadness that I create this note to you today.
Mark was one of the most precious innocent souls that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in this lifetime.
I will always remember his fierce protection of his privacy, while at the same time being available to assist anyone, where he was able.
I was forever in awe over his self-made delicious restaurant quality lunches; an accomplishment which of course, he quickly downplayed should anyone ask.
Mark was a uniquely complex man whose Shakesperean passion for knowledge was never quenched.
While Mark and I never discussed spiritual beliefs, I believe that we are infinite spiritual beings having a human experience. From spirit we emerged and to spirit we return to rest in infinite love and peace, where time does not wait, nor stop or remain.
Psalm 32:7 – You are my hiding place oh Lord, you protect me in my distress and gaze into the secrets of my soul.
My deepest condolences.
I’ve only just become aware that Mark has passed……although we never met in person, we were connected electronically over the years thru business. I am so sorry that you have all lost Mark. Memories will live on in thoughts and hearts. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Mark was my fellow Medicine Hatter on the floor at work and I’ll miss having those silly, random conversations about our shared hometown. One of the strongest memories I have of him was a moment about a year ago – I was in the hallway on a difficult personal call and was visibly upset when he saw me through the glass and mouthed “are you ok?” He was smart as heck and funny but what I remember the clearest was that he was kind.
“I try to make sense of things. Which is why, I guess I believe in destiny. There must be a reason that I am as I am. There must be.”
– Robin Williams
To Mark’s Family:
It is with the most incredible sadness that I create this note to you today.
Mark was one of the most precious innocent souls that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in this lifetime.
I will always remember his fierce protection of his privacy, while at the same time being available to assist anyone, where he was able.
I was forever in awe over his self-made delicious restaurant quality lunches; an accomplishment which of course, he quickly downplayed should anyone ask.
Mark was a uniquely complex man whose Shakesperean passion for knowledge was never quenched.
While Mark and I never discussed spiritual beliefs, I believe that we are infinite spiritual beings having a human experience. From spirit we emerged and to spirit we return to rest in infinite love and peace, where time does not wait, nor stop or remain.
Psalm 32:7 – You are my hiding place oh Lord, you protect me in my distress and gaze into the secrets of my soul.
My deepest condolences.
It took me a while to know what to express here because there are no words that properly convey the sorrow.
I offer my most sincere condolences in our loss of Mark. I knew Mark from work and noticed how often he would zip around, always in a hurry with the look of having an important or exciting thought to share. He was always ready with a smile and a friendly hello. He is missed and I’m thinking he is helping another angel set up their computer.
May your soul be at peace, Mark.
I will remember you always.
My sincere condolences to the McLennan and Maier family. I had the pleasure to be Mark’s cube buddy for a few years. He was always so sharp, well dressed and such a witty person. He was the hardest, most efficient and precise worker bee I have ever met. He absolutely loved Taylor Swift and all I can hear are the lyrics to Shake it off:
“But I keep cruisin’
Can’t stop, won’t stop movin’
It’s like I got this music in my mind
Sayin’ it’s gonna be alright”
I hope you are dancing up there where everything is alright.
You will never be forgotten Mark❣️
I never met Mark, and only knew him through his Twitter handle. We exchanged DMs a few times. The first time was because I wanted his thoughts on an oil service company. He had an incredible depth of knowledge which he shared generously and without any ego.
I did learn that Mark was an aviation geek like myself. He had a special fondness for fighter aircraft in particular.
I wish I had been able to meet him IRL. He was a very special human being.
RIP SBA
Just coming here to say I’m thinking of you today – this on the anniversary of your departure. I hope you know how much I enjoyed eating the 10 butterfingers you sent via inter office mail. You were so bright, so likeable, and I was genuinely happy to have you on my team and for all our coffees after. Holding so much affection for you.