Hello, my name is Mandy and I write to you with a broken heart to share the sudden and tragic loss of my niece’s father Mark Holmes. At only 42, Mark was the guiding light in his 12-year-old daughter Hailey’s life, a devoted full-time single father, who gave every minute to her as they lived alone together and were inseparable.

Tragically, on Thursday morning, Hailey woke up for school and found her beloved father Mark laying on their kitchen floor unresponsive, finding out after, he suffered a sudden heart attack, something no one saw coming. He had undiagnosed heart disease, a condition he never knew he had.

Now as sweet Hailey his 12-year-old princess faces a long, difficult road to heal, we ask for your help. Mark did not have any life insurance set up or any extra funds saved in the event of an emergency. We need to raise funds not only for the funeral and service expenses, moving expenses, helping getting Hailey settled in her new home, clearing Marks prior financial obligations. Helping with securing a future for Hailey is something Mark fought so hard to overcome and did his best with ensuring Hailey had a safe place and loving father and we want to continue this with giving Hailey the best possible future. Both sides of Hailey’s family, though all full of love, we are not in the best financial positions to fully provide and support all the extra and additional expenses that have come because of his sudden passing.

We must also mention and honor the incredible transformation Mark made after Hailey’s birth. Mark had struggled with addiction on and off, but when Hailey was 1-2 years old, Mark made a courageous decision to turn his life around so he could be the father that Hailey deserved – Mark was an active member of AA. He became Hailey’s sole caregiver, pouring every ounce of love and responsibility into raising her, giving her a safe home filled with stability, hope and un-denying love and support to his sweet daughter, it was Hailey and Mark everywhere together day and night... the true definition of daddy’s girl and a proud single father. Teaching Hailey nearly everything she knows today, he proudly took her on many adventures, actively camping throughout the summers, countless beach / lake days, swimming trips, riding bikes, exploring adventure parks, going on drives, or just watching hockey, cooking, and overall just being side-by-side. He was not just her father…. he was her entire world.

Outside of Mark being an outstanding father, he was a great friend to many, he loved his mother dearly and they had an amazing special bond, he had a huge heart and an extraordinary love of sports especially hockey and the oilers – he was an incredible hockey player, he loved music (listen & rapping), he had a love for food and cooking, camping being at the lake / beach, he loved, loved cologne, shoes and always had to have the best of the best whenever possible. He would be there in a minute if someone needed his help, he was a very kind-hearted person and very passionate and compassionate individual that was a gentle giant.

Every dollar will help with the costs this tragic loss and most important is it will ensure Hailey is supported and has what she needs and requires for grieving, healing, and pursue a brighter future. Please, if you can, donate, share, and help us honor his legacy by giving to her future and his family with covering the expenses we have to cover for this sudden passing.

This is a devastating reminder for all of us…. please, we urge you to get your hearts checked. His loss, though sudden, is a call to action for us all to take care of ourselves and loved ones please, go to your doctors and get your hearts checked please - you could save your life without even knowing it!

We would like to say thank you to everyone for your kindness, your generosity, support and for standing with us and his daughter during this heartbreaking and difficult time now and to come.