A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, 1:00 p.m

Gabriel "Mark" Pace III, 49, passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 6, 2012, as a result of post surgical complications after a 6 year fight with stage 4 brain cancer (Glioblastoma Multiforme). His family helped walk him home to be with the Lord along with many special new and old friends.

Mark was born September 25, 1962 in Washington D.C. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northwest Catholic High School and received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Connecticut. After graduation, he moved to California to pursue several sales ventures and made many friends. In 1993 he married Andrea Lackey and settled in Huntington Beach where they became parents of a son, Brock, in 1996.

Mark was a symbol of strength in many ways. Physically, he loved sports and made many friends through cycling, surfing, hockey, softball, frisbee, golf and tennis. He even had the highlight opportunity to be a professional tennis umpire at the US Open, Wimbeldon, the 1996 Olympics and more. Being healthy was a trait that he encouraged and shared with family, friends and even as the personal fitness merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America. When he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005, Team Pace was formed with the motto “Viva Forte!” and he set out to not only fight physically, but he also mentally became a rock of hope and support for others facing new cancer diagnosis. Mark supported the Livestrong Foundation by riding in several 100 mile rides to raise money to fight cancer. He was granted the Messenger Award and was recognized as an Outstanding Fundraiser for the charity, getting to ride along side Lance Armstrong in the Ride for the Roses. Supporting a cause even closer to our hearts, Mark joined with several other GBM warriors and their families to annually raise money for UCLA Brain Cancer Research, which is a foundation that he fully credited for his long term survival with the disease. As summed up by Mark’s favorite biblical quote by James, "Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance."

Mark was determined to grow as close to the Lord as possible and be an example for others. He was extremely steadfast in his faith in God and was devoted to his church families. He has previously served as deacon, eagerly volunteered on the technical worship teams and even taught and participated in many bible study classes. He was currently striving to achieve a Masters from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, where he became a friend and inspiration to many new students and teachers. Before his recent surgery, Mark had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land on a 3 week school trip to Israel. There he got to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, which was one of the big lifetime goals in his life.

Mark’s humor and kind spirit were loved by all and will be greatly missed here on earth, but as he rejoices in heaven, we can look forward to seeing him again. 2 Timothy 4:7-8, He fought the good Fight; he finished his Course and kept the Faith. He is survived by his wife, Andrea and son, Brock; parents, Gabriel Pace (Susan) and Rosamond Lawson (Al); sisters, Deborah Pace Sitzmann (Matt) and Sharon Pace Ward (Trevor); step siblings, Mandy and Robert Lawson; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Church of Huntington Beach, 1207 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA

There will be a reception immediately following at the Pace family home in Huntington Beach.

For more information on the service or reception, please email: andrea@pace-family.com

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to:

UCLA Neuro-Oncology Brain Cancer Research

Check Tribute Gift and please list Mark Pace in the box:

https://giving.ucla.edu/braincancerresearch

Checks can also be sent payable to UCLA Foundation and sent to: Team Pace, 18352 Oxboro Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Livestrong Foundation

A family friend is riding in Mark’s honor:

http://laf.livestrong.org/site/TR?px=1035632&pg=personal&fr_id=1182&et=WD1LeRf_iVY3bCDOeQum-w&s_tafId=1507

He is also creating biking jerseys and workout shirts that commemorate Mark’s fight, contact Dave Aronson through Facebook for more details

Mark your calendars!

Memorial services for Mark will be held on May 5th. Reception to follow at our home in Huntington Beach. Details on specific times and locations to be posted soon as well as donation information for those interested in helping our causes ;)

Mark is welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven

Mark went home to be with the Lord the evening of Good Friday, which is a day that Mark believed would be a glorious day to leave this earth (as Christ did and also Mark's fellow GBM warrior Hank). Many friends and family were with him over the last few weeks to help walk him home and it was truly a blessing and gift to be able to share all of the wonderful Mark stories with everyone and see how much of an impact he made in this world and so many peoples lives. People that Mark didn't even know were changed by his strength, attitude, caring, smile and unwavering love for God. May he rest in peace & enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven for eternity and we will someday be getting to again hear his goofy jokes when we're all together again.

Hospice continues

Mark continues to be in hospice. We are sharing many moments with him day by day, have enjoyed hearing stories from close friends and realizing just how many people Mark touched in this world.