Mark Alan Peeler, 51, of Waldoboro, passed away peacefully at this home with loved ones at his side on Dec. 9 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Feb. 10, 1958 in Rochester, N.Y. Mark was the son of the late Laverne M. Peeler and Mrs. Jane A. Peeler of Chase Point Retirement home in Damariscotta.
Upon his graduation from Wayland (Mass.) High School in 1976, Mark attended one year at Wentworth Engineering Institute. Afterward he was employed by Bose of Foxborough, Mass. He later moved to Maine, the state he fell in love with during family vacations in the 1960s and
70s. It was here he met his love and longtime companion Kathleen Whalen. During his life in Maine, Mark was employed by several businesses which included Steel Pro of Rockland and On The Road Trailers of Warren. During this period Mark honed his skills in welding and metal working where he rose to the level of shop foreman.
Mark was an avid outdoorsman. He loved all aspects of hunting and fishing. Mark was a skilled craftsman making his own fishing poles, loading his own ammo, and most recently making signature hunting knives which were sold at small shops in Maine. With his love of archery, he readily became a very proficient bowhunter. He was a member of the Maine Bowhunters Assoc. and was consulted on local deer population management policies. Mark also enjoyed and became proficient in vegetable gardening and gold panning. This love of gardening developed from his father’s efforts in the field of organic gardening.
Having no children of his own, Mark dearly loved his nieces and nephew, spoiling them frequently during the many family get-togethers.
In addition to Katie, Mark is survived by his mother Jane Peeler of Damariscotta, Doug Peeler of San Diego, Cal., Marygrace Sirois and husband Richard of Waterboro, Wendy Stormer and husband Tom of Allison Park, Penn., John Peeler and wife Sandra of Morrill; nephew and two nieces, Jonathan Sirois of Towson, Md., Jessica Jones and husband Adam of Norfolk, Va., and Morgan Stormer of Allison Park, Penn.; in addition several cousins, aunts and special friends.
Visiting hours Dec. 11 at Staples Funeral Home, Gardiner. Mass of Christian burial Dec. 12 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gardiner. Committal service will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Gardiner in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445.
Arrangements are entrusted to Staples Funeral Home, Gardiner.
