"We've struggled with how to express our grief at Skippy's loss to our family. We were close with Skip in High School and College, but as is often the case we drifted away from each other over time as we moved around the country. I guess we can say that a part of our own lives died with Skip when he left us. He was in many ways responsible for our relationship. He saw something in the two of us that we didn't see in each other, and it led to our lives together. We will always be deeply thankful to Skip for that in a way that we can't fully express. But for Skip's family all our words are just platitudes and we fully understand that. Nothing we say or write can really "make it better" but we hope that the warm feeling we have for Skip in our hearts will in some small way give you solace in this difficult time. We know we can never miss him as much as you do, but maybe it helps you to know there are many of us who sincerely miss him. The English have a nice saying: "Our loss is Heaven's gain." May that be the case with our irreplaceable friend... Greg & Beth Joyce"
In loving memory of
Patrick T. Ark
January 28, 1969 - November 5, 2012
It is with overwhelming sadness to share that Patrick Todd Ark, 43, dedicated son, brother, husband, father, teacher, coach and friend passed away on Monday, November 5, 2012. He was born on January 28, 1969 in L'Anse, Michigan. Patrick attended Baraga Elementary and Houghton High schools where he was a three sport athlete. His nickname, Skip, emerged from his energetic manner to prepare defensively on the court. Patrick held the U.P. pole vault record until recent years. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Ferris State University where he ran track and received his master's degree from Western Michigan. Patrick worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers where he met Jennifer Randl. Their love of sports and adventure took them to Portland, OR, where they both worked for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Patrick and Jennifer married on August 31, 1996, in Madison, WI. He worked at Lambeau Field and Green Bay Packers game day through his employment with PMI Entertainment Group. He also worked for Sears and created his own business, ArkWorks, where he could be his own boss, enjoy the outdoors, pick up his children from school and coach youth sports - his ultimate dream jobs. Patrick's cherished son, Will - "Rocket," "Carl" - was born on June 18, 1998. His precious daughter, Elyse - "Princess," "Chica" - was born June 9, 2002. They were his life. He was their hero. Dogs, Madison and Hutson, were his shadow.
Patrick made an impact. He coached his children on life, school, faith and athletic involvement. He touched others of all ages through his poetry, knowledge, philosophies and disciplines, through his landscaping and plantings and also through his humor and sarcasm. Through athletics, whether at the JV or Varsity level or his passion - youth sports, he treated each player, boy or girl, as if they were his own, each with a nickname. Patrick made a difference.
Patrick's avidity for the Wolverines and Packers was very apparent. He could always be seen with his Starbucks, baseball cap, sports page in his back pocket and a whistle around his neck. He often shared a quote with his children, "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth." - Roberto Clemente
Surviving are his loving wife, Jennifer; a son, Will; a daughter, Elyse; his mother, Judith Illikainen of Green Bay; two brothers, Kevin (Erinne) Ark of Helena, Montana, Ken Ark of St. Joseph, Michigan; two sisters, Debra Ark of Helena, Montana; Dawn (Brian) Kissane of Ashland, Massachusetts; nieces and nephews, Lyndie, Brooke, Samuel, Zachary, Susan, Emmy, Ethan, Peter James, Kellan, Brooks, Drew, Liliana; his mother-in-law, Shirley Randl of Madison; two brothers-in-law, Steve (Sonja) Randl of Fitchburg, Wisconsin and Corey (Danielle) Randl of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. Patrick is further survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Ark; his brother, Peter Ark and his father-in-law, Wayne Randl.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue on Friday, November 9, 2012 at St. John Lutheran Church, 2700 Babcock Road, from 9:30 am until the funeral service at 11:00 am with Rev. Jennifer Christenson officiating. Interment will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com. A memorial fund has been established in Patrick's name for Will and Elyse.
Words cannot express how our worlds will change without him here. Patrick is now settled in heaven with a peaceful mind and his burdens lifted. Sincere gratefulness extended to wondrous family, friends and the communities in Patrick's world. We are indebted to your kindness and generosity.
Tributes
"I only knew Patrick as a child, but have many fond memoires of him & his family. God Bless you all and help you find peace in his name. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. "
"Our thoughts and prayers to the Patrick Ark family. Friends of Alyce from Forest Lake"
"Our family wishes our deepest sympathy to your family. Coach Ark was the best coach we ever had the pleasure of knowing. Win or lose he had a great attitude and pushed kids to do better. My favorite memory is of him making each kid feel special with a nickname. He had a gift of coaching-but above all else he taught kids how to be a team and have fun. He will be deeply missed. He was a fixture at the ball diamonds and football fields. It will be so strange without him. Our hearts and prayers go to his family-may you find peace. Dan and Ann Seffernick; Derek Fraiser"
"Judy and Skips family, May the comfort of memories, family and loved ones help you get through his beyond difficult time. Skip was one in a million. I was blessed enough to go to school with him and he graduated with my brothers class. He was shining light with that smile of his! He was a wonderful man and anyone who knew him was truly blessed. I will never forget him. "Crazy Judy", my mom (Bonnie) sends her love and will plan on contacting you soon."
"may the good god in haven be your strength and angels open they arms to bring him to the havens where him find joy . zayas family"
"Dear Jude, I am so sorry for your loss and the pain you are going thru over losing another son. This is a parents worst nightmare. Even though we never got to meet Patrick, you were a part of the Tappa family and we will always love you. I wish we could be with you right now but know that you are definitely in our thoughts and prayers. Love you!!!"
"Jude, to my sister's bestest friend. I am so sorry for your loss. Jan said he was a wonderful person which means he must have taken after his mother. I am sending you my deepest sympathy and hopefully in time your pain will lessen. God Bless you and your family."
"i see him at football games cheering on everyone he know. he pushes everyone so they can get better."
"To Skip's Family: I want to let you know what a wonderful light he was to me and to our 1987 class. I lost touch with him over the years, but reconnected about a year ago via facebook. I am praying for you and your children--and want you to know that you are in the prayers and thoughts of countless people around you that Pat touched and gave energy to. You don't know me, but I am thinking of you and your children. "
"I am so sorry to all the Arks in the loss of your husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. I will always cherish the time I was always welcomed into his home and he was always so kind. I will cherish the conversation I had with Patrick when his Mom moved to Montana. He knew how upset I was and he said, "Don't worry, Jan, Mom will move back to Green Bay someday!" I will miss him deeply. What a great man!"
"Our son Jacob goes to school with Will and played tournament basketball in grade school with him. Patrick was always at the practices and games helping the boys. He was always so kind to Jacob. We are keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Hopefully your cherished memories of Patrick can bring a smile to your heart and know that he is in a better place and at peace."
""
"Skip was always one of my favorite people. For me he was a teammate, a classmate, a coach and a big brother, but I believe his favorite role was a father. No individual made me laugh as much as he did. I wish I could have been there to make him laugh when he needed it most. Sad that he left us, I think he just was eager to play catch with Peter and his dad again. I have never met a more fearless and tenacious competitor, so I will always remember him kneeling in the front row with a trophy sitting in front of him...he was a champ!"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ark family in their time of sorrow. Our son Brian is a classmate/friend of Elise. We met the Ark family 11 years ago at the daycare I worked at. God Bless you and keep you close to his heart and the days forward.
Ann, Matt, John and Brian Gancarcik-Thaves Family"