Obituary of Mark Leon Petela

Mark Leon Petela of Augusta, passed away at home at the age of 67 years on Wednesday May 22, 2013. He ultimately succumbed to his long battle with cancer. Mark was born July 2nd, 1945 to Edna (Mires) Catterton and Charles Catterton of Brooklyn, New York. He was born Gunnar David Catterton and later changed his name after his father passed away and his mother remarried. He had three siblings, Carol, Chauncey and Tommy. Mark was adopted by his stepfather Leon Petela in 1960 in Warren, Michigan. He attended Lincoln High School where he become the state champion light weight wrestler, graduating in 1963. He attended both Macomb County Community College and Henry Ford Community College. Mark married his high school sweet heart Linda Maass in 1966. They eloped in secret, later informing the family of their nuptials. Mark joined the army in 1966, serving three years mostly overseas. He began his career at Chrysler as a Die Model Maker. As Mark’s family began to grow, he moved to Maine to raise his children in a more rural setting. He was a co-owner of Maass’s Market in Randolph, Maine before enrolling in the police academy and later earning the rank of Lieutenant on the Augusta Police Force. Mark enjoyed most sports but especially bowling and golf. He had quite a collection of tournament trophies that he earned well into his mid-sixties. He was a member of Sheepscot Links in Whitefield, Maine. He made wine as a hobby and enjoyed cooking for family and friends. Mark was a jack of all trades and a master of many. Mark leaves behind his beloved wife Linda of 47 years, all five children with their spouses Melissa and David, Matthew and Kelly, Miranda and Tim, Michelle and Jeff, Michael and a dozen grandchildren, Mark, Emaline, Zack, Nich, Brooklyn, Mylee, Ryan, Katara, Cooper, Wyatt, Owen and Noah. He also leaves behind scores of friends who were more like family. He is predeceased by his biological father Charles Catterton who died in 1945, mother Edna Petela who passed in 1978, stepdad Leon Petela who passed in 2000 and his brother Tommy who was killed in battle in 1969, and lastly his sister Carol who passed in 2005. Mark will have a memorial service in the chapel at the Veteran’s Cemetery on the Middle Road in Augusta 1 p.m June 13, 2013 by Direct Cremation of Maine. This will be a celebration of his life or family and friends with a private reception to follow at his family residence. Mark had also asked that ”his boys” spread his ashes at Mt. Kineo/ Moosehead Lake, where Mark’s favorite golf course is located. A special thank you goes out to those at Sheepscot Links for putting on the Mark Petela Day on Monday June 3rd, 2013 where golfers are encouraged to dress ostentatiously as Mark often did while playing his favorite sport. Mark, you were a teacher, a hero, a legend and yes, life does go on, but never as it did before without you in it.