After a short 5 month battle with cancer, John passed away peacefully with his wife, Jan, and his daughter, Nichola, by his side.  
John was the dearly loved father, father-in-law, and gramps of Angela, Andrew, and Nicholas; Steven and Nuria; Nichola, Grant, and Elsie.
He was the best friend and dearly loved husband of Jan for more than 30 years; a father-figure and father-in-law to Kris and Tom; granddad to Kelsey, and Madeleine; and great-granddad to Rohan, and Ezra. 
John was also friends with his first wife, Claudia, and her partner, Dave.
In his later years John became very involved with the local community garden, the local school's garden to table program, and the local community association.  He was willing to help anyone in need, whether physically or by sharing his extensive knowledge.  He will be sadly missed by all.
John has been pre-deceased by his parents, Alan and Noeline, his brothers Colin and Ken, and his sister Jude.  He will be fondly remembered by his brother-in-law, Kevin, his nephew and niece and their spouses Adam and Rochelle, and Miriam and Mike; and their children Harvey, and Eli; and Brooke, and Eleanor.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated and may be made directly online to Nurse Maude https://www.nursemaude.org.nz/donate or Hate Hone St Johns https://donate.stjohn.org.nz/
Both these organisations assisted us with empathy and professionalism during our association, as did the various hospital staff we came across in the Waipapa wing of Christchurch Hospital.
Messages to the Marks family c/o PO Box 10345, Christchurch 8145.
A private cremation is to be held, with a memorial service in the Heathcote Valley Community Centre, Bridal Path Road, on 26th September at 2pm.  If attending please wear bright clothes.