Mark S. Farace
Mark Sinclair Farace passed away on August 15th, 2016 with his loved ones by his side. Mark had fought a courageous and heartbreaking battle with lung cancer. He was 51 years young.
Mark was born on May 18th, 1965 in the Lemay area of St. Louis. He was the son of the late August and Shirley Farace. He attended St. Mary’s High School and graduated in the class of 1983. On September 2, 1996 he met the love of his life Jill (Wehking), and they were married on October 23, 1999. A few years later, Mark and Jill decided to begin their family, resulting in the birth of two beautiful girls – Jessica and Isabella.
Mark enjoyed reading comic books as a child and was a huge fan of Spiderman. He worked in the financial and then insurance business before he was able to follow his dream of being his own boss and doing something that he loved. He started and grew his business into a successful family owned shop, All American Collectibles/Mo’s Comics.
Mark enjoyed doing many other things especially helping and entertaining others. He was known for his quick witted comebacks, infectious smile and karaoke skills. Mark always wanted to give back to our Policeman and Firefighters that give so much to us that he and friends would plan karaoke events to raise money for Backstoppers. For a time he even co-hosted an AM radio show with a friend and dabbled in the wrestling business early on in his life.
Mark’s fondest memory of childhood was watching the Dallas Cowboys football games with his dad. He continued his love for the Cowboys throughout his life and every football season was hopeful to see the Cowboys in the Superbowl.
Mark loved to entertain a crowd and throughout his life he was such a charmer that people were just drawn into his world. He was the type of person that you were glad to know. He was full of life, light and a song and that is how he will be remembered by his family and the many friends that he has left behind.
A wake will be held on Thursday, August 18th, 2016 from 6-8 pm with a Mass at 8pm at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 6303 Nottingham Ave., St. Louis MO 63109. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Backstoppers (backstoppers.org) . Please leave memories and condolences below.
My son became a regular at Mo’s around 1999 or 2000 as a young teen. I want Mark’s family to know how much he helped shape these kids that hung out there playing Pokémon, Magic, etc. Kyle would always have Mark stories or stories from the back room! At a time when Kyle needed strong male influences in his life, Mark was one of them. We will be forever grateful for his presence in our lives. Rest in peace, Mark, and our condolences to his lovely family.
Dear Jill, I was very sorry to hear about Mark. Your Dad had sent a message to us. I will keep your family in my prayers. Your cousin in Maryland-Cheryl
Jill, Jessica and Bell – My heart goes out to all of you on this sad day. Remember all of the good things about your short time together. Prayers and sympathy. Love
Jill,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers during this difficult time. May god wrap you and your family in his loving arms.
YsiC,
Darci Garavaglia
You will be truly missed. We had some great times together. I really wish I had the chance to see you again. I’m going to miss our karaoke duets, your smile and funny sence of humor. Rest peacefully Mark.
Sending you so, so much love. We are all praying for you and your family Jill. My heart is broken for you, and your family. I am so, so sorry for your loss, and the loss for your girls as well.
My thoughts are with you and your girls. Mark had a kind soul, a wonderful spirit and always talked about his family
Jill, Jessica, and Bell, I’m so sorry for your loss. Mark & Jill, I was so lucky to see such a beautiful couple married, and Mark was a wonderful man. It’s very heartbreaking to hear such sad news. Still so young, my thoughts & prayers are with you, and your beautiful daughters. R.I.P. Mark
Jill, Jessica, and Bell…..
We send you hugs and kisses when we are not together and smiles of warmth when we are.
Your love for your dad and husband is everlasting and will continue by remembering all the happy times. May those memories bring you peace and comfort.
We love you all-
Kelli, Jim, Sam, Luke, Bella and Stanley
Jill, Jessie, and Bell,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I know that you all have wonderful memories and I hope they help you during this difficult time. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to the three of you.
Jill, I am so sorry. You and the girls are in my thoughts and prayers.
Angela
Very saddened with this news of Mark’s passing. Karaoke around the south side of town, and in particular St. Louis Idol, will never again be the same with the loss of Mark. His dedication to the cause of The BackStoppers, and his many contributions to those efforts that helps this charity, are too innumerable to list. I’m grateful to have been his friend these past many years, and hope his family, friends, and wife and daughters find comfort and solace in his memory. It really is a good one. He really was a good guy…
I will miss you my friend, my prayers go to your wife and kids. Thanks for everything and being a great friend you will be missed by so many, sing as much as you like up there!
Jill, i know that there aren’t any words that are going to make you or the girls feel better right now. I can only hope you can feel all the love and support coming toward you. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sunny, Alan and Terri
So sorry Jill. Words fail me but just know I’m praying for you @ your beautiful little girls. Love, Paula
Jill, I’m so sorry for your loss and for all that you’ve been through! My hope is that your family will continue to feel Mark’s love and presence, as he will forever be with you. If you need anything, I’m here for you! I would love to catch up some time. Sending you big hugs, love, and light!
When I came into the shop Saturday (August 20th) I was stunned and saddened by the news of Mark’s death. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Mark was what I would call an authentic human. He was pragmatic without being cold, funny without being flippant, and sincere without being overly sentimental.
Mahalo.
I am very sorry for your loss. I frequented All American Collectibles/MO’s Comics at least a couple times a year to purchase Magic The Gathering cards for my son’s birthday and Christmas. Mark was a great guy and will be missed by so many. He built a very fine business that brought joy to kids and adults alike.
Mark helped me out when I was in a tough spot financially when I was in my teens. He bought my meager comic collection, and before sealing the deal, went through and pulled out all of the Silver Age, and “hot” stock and said to hang onto these and just forget about them for a while. I still have those comics that he pulled out, and remember that day every time I see them. Especially my Iron Man #55. He said Thanos was going to be bigger than the comics one day. Boy was he right. That’s the kind of guy Mark was. Honest, thoughtful, and genuinely caring for people. He was the only truly honest and trustworthy dealer I met in my 30+ years of buying comics and Magic The Gathering. The hobby and collectible community and our friendships are much more poor without him. Yet our lives are vastly enriched for having known him, and having called him friend.
I am shocked and saddened by the passing of my best friend from childhood. Mark and I started and built comic book collections together, and had many adventures while growing up in Lemay, Missouri. I was happy to see that in later years he continued our tradition and made comic books his focus and career. I have to think that his spirit is there somewhere in the universe and that he looks with the same depth of feeling and peace that I do on our spiritual bond.