Mark the Julius Erving of his time; on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the age of 66 passed away.

Mark was born in Chicago, IL, (South Side) and raised and educated in Boston Massachusetts, he attended English High, Brighton High, and Eastern Military School, Huntington Long Island, New York, Prep School preparing him for college. He attended Roxbury Community College, Northern Oklahoma College, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts, his career path was Sociology.

Mark worked with mental health professionals supporting and caring for individuals with mental health conditions or illnesses. He was an on-call counselor in shelters for homeless adults. He engaged in all aspects of ensuring a safe environment. He worked for several years at the Brandon School and Residential Treatment Program in Natick, MA as a counselor caring for children and providing therapeutic recreational activities, he even worked as a part-time teacher/basketball coach. Mark had a mentor Christopher Moore, one of the founders of Brighter Day. Moore introduced Mark to other adventures, especially skiing. Moore encouraged Mark to form his own corporation Adventures Abound, Inc., to provide opportunities for the at-risk youth population within the metropolitan Boston area.

Mark was a free spirit, a wanderer, someone who sought to squeeze every drop of adventure out of life. He traveled, explored, and took risks. He lived on his terms, and in doing so, he taught us the value of embracing the present moment. On April 3rd we lost a great man who loved so many he loved so strongly that he lost focus on himself trying to be a hero for others.

Mark was one of the greatest ballers around town, ask around town. Did you get a chance to shoot hoop with Mark? During his first year at English High, he shared the outstanding Jr. Varsity with Kenneth Bradford and won the State Championship between English High vs. Don Bosco. He played in the Titans League with coach Alan Brodsky. Mark, Robbie Lewis, and Dwan Chandler were the Mighty Titans of that league. Varsity at Brighton High was another big win. He also played with the Old Timer Basketball League with the late Freddie McNeil of Hyde Park. Volunteering as a basketball coach at the Hennigan School and Bromley Heath Housing Development fueled his desire to become a coach. Where were the Black skiers? Waterville Valley, NH; Mount Snow, VT and Nashoba Valley Ski Area, MA, is where you might find Mark Hotdogging (freestyle skiing), which he learned from one of the best skiers Wayne Wong hotdog pioneer.

Mark was preceded in death by his Mother Joyce B. (Smith) Ward of Cambridge, MA (2013), Father Nathaniel Ward of Chicago, IL (1983), and his brother Walter (Wally Gator) Covington of Roxbury (2016).

Mark is survived by his daughter, Charlene Smith of Dorchester, Grandchildren Tatiana, Carl Jr. and Leilani; Great-Grandson Nio; Sister Cheryl Ward (Jesse) of Dorchester; Brothers Byron Ward of Dorchester and David Ward (Melissa) of Dorchester; Nieces Yolanda Roberson of Dorchester and Jasmine Strothers of Georgia; Nephew Arthur Ward of Dorchester; Brother and Sister in Christ, Robbie Lewis of Dorchester and Linda Lewis of Jamaica Plain and a host of other family members and special friends.

Visitation will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS on Monday, April 28th from 10-11AM. Funeral Service to begin at 11AM. Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery. Relatives and friends invited.