My Dad passed away

[Mark Van]

My Dad (Clarence Van Abbema) just passed away yesterday (Thursday) after a 6 month battle with cancer. I thaught that I would post pictures of the boats that he built over the years as a memorial.

http://markvdesigns.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/pilgrim1.jpg
Pilgrim, a 41 foot Piver trimaran, built 1969

http://markvdesigns.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/pilgrim2.jpg
Pilgrim II, a 48 foot motor sailor that My Dad designed, built 1977.

http://markvdesigns.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/pilgrim3.jpg
Pilgrim III, a 34 foot Colvin Sharpie, built 1982.

http://markvdesigns.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/01156knots.jpg
Pilgrim IV, a 20 foot outboard powered cruiser that I designed, built 2001.

[Art Read]

What a nice legacy! (Sorry for your loss... But it must have made him proud to watch you follow in his footsteps though, eh?)

[ 04-02-2004, 01:56 AM: Message edited by: Art Read ]

[Stiletto]

My deepest sympathy, I'm glad you have great memories.

[Wild Dingo]

ah geez Mark :( ... so much sadness... Im really sorry to hear this mate although Ive never met either you or your dad Ive followed your build of the boat since I first found it a couple of years ago and since then have enjoyed your posts about your wanderings onboard her and your often made comments about your dad.

what a great memorial to him mate :(

[Hwyl]

He left you quite a legacy. When will we ever get this cancer thing beaten.
Sorry to hear of your sad news.

[ 04-02-2004, 06:29 AM: Message edited by: Hwyl ]

[imported_Daniel]

As Art said Mark, what a wonderful legacy. I am sorry about your loss. :(

[garland reese]

Thank you Mark, for posting those pictures. I'd bet there are some cherished memories built around those boats. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. God bless y'all.
Garland

[John B]

Very sorry to hear that Mark. Condolences to you.

[Ian McColgin]

While sorry for your loss, it's clear that you honor and love him in the finest way. No father could give more or receive more.

[NormMessinger]

:(

[imported_Steven Bauer]

:(

[Donn]

Condolences, Mark, but you've got a fine tribute to an obviously creative man and life. God bless.

[John Bell]

Condolences and prayers for comfort. :(

[Mike Vogdes]

Sorry for your loss... may he rest in peace.

[ 04-02-2004, 09:31 AM: Message edited by: Mike Vogdes ]

[Jack Heinlen]

I'm so sorry. It's a difficult loss...the loss of one's father.

When time has passed, and you are more composed, tell us about him. I would like to read your stories of him.

[Mark Van]

I probably won't have much chance to contribute to this forum for a few days, but I would just like to say that I am very glad that we got to spend the time together building our two boats.

Mark

[Tar Devil]

My sympathy and my prayers are for you.

I am glad that you chose to celebrate your lives together.

Thank you for sharing his life with us throught this forum and on your web site.

Thoughts and prayers,

Phil, Cheryl and the Runts

[Gresham CA]

:(

[J. Dillon]

My condolances and prayers also. I bet their are some nice memories in those boats, building and sailing with your dad.

JD

[Dave Hadfield]

Very sorry to hear it, Mark.

But you'll always be able to tell stories about building and sailing boats with your Dad.

[htom]

My condolences and prayers, Mark. Your father has left a legacy that others will treasure for years to come.

[Alan D. Hyde]

It is good to leave behind some cairns on the hilltops of history.

It looks like your father did just that.

My condolences to you and yours on his loss.

The immunologists and the geneticists are both closing in on some substantial answers to the mystery of cancer.

Let's hope such answers come soon, and keep more good people like your father from going before their time. God help us all.

Alan

[nedL]

My thoughts and prayers will be with you Mark.

[Venchka]

I lost my dad a little over a year ago. Our time together on boats is something I will always cherish. Dad's and boats are special.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Beautiful boats. He obviously lived a fulfilled life and a wonderful son to think of him in such a kind way. He obviously didn't just build boats well.

God bless

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

This thread is one of the reasons I have a wooden boat. Our mortal time on this earth is short, but for each artist that creates a work such as these, a wooden boat is a living memory of skill, patience, passion, and a whole lot of other powerful and positive human characteristics.

Although I never met your father, I can quite clearly see part of the man he was in the boats you posted above. I'm sorry for your loss Mark, but where ever your Dad is now, it's waterfront ;)

[paladin]

:( :(

[mic]

Sorry for you loss :(
Mic & Family

[Jim H]

:(

[Leon m]

Wow... built a tri in 69 ,sounds like a cutting
edge kinda guy...

sorry for your loss. :(

[Greg H]

..... too many recently. The best to you.
He did good!

[brian.cunningham]

:(

BTW I love Pivers.

[LisaS]

My deepest sympathy on your loss.

Lisa in CT

[Tom Lathrop]

Mark, If I'm questioned at the Pearly Gates about what I did to warant an entry, I would say that I taught my kids to sail. I'm sure your father felt the same.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I remember that you said he was ailing the last time we met. Having such memories of your dad will always be special for you.

All the best,

Tom

[Bruce Hooke]

My condolences. :(

What a beautiful legacy he left.

[whb]

Fair winds to your Dad and our condolences to you and the family.

Howard

[Mark Van]

Thanks for all the responses. I am getting ready to fly up to Missouri for the funeral, so I may not be able to get on the internet for a few days.

Mark

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

I'm sorry to hear the sad news Mark.
May the memories of better times with your Dad and his boats bring you comfort and peace at this difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Those are some wonderful boats Mark. Your father must of been very proud of you...... and you of him.
Peace----> Kevin in Ohio

[Ken Hutchins]

My sincere condolances.

[Fitz]

God Bless.

He left works of art.

[ion barnes]

So sorry Mark.

[DavesFlatsBoat]

A proud son says alot about a man. You have my thoughts and prayers

Dave

[cs]

So sorry for your loss. :(

Chad

[imported_Conrad]

I'm so sorry, Mark. :( I remember checking your site during the construction of the two boats and feeling envious that you were able to share both a love of building boats and the building experience. I didn't realize he had built so many others. What great memories of times together!

[KHoran]

Sorry to hear of your loss.
My father was a yacht finisher and passed away 18 months ago. Your fathers legacy of fine ships is a shining example of the power of wooden boats.