We welcome friends and family to submit your fondest thoughts and memories of Mark or your condolences to his family to us, so that we might add them to a list of tributes to Mark for all visitors to our web site to see. To do so, simply compose your words and email them to us at info@noto-wynkoop.com and we will add them as soon as possible.

Sat 11/27/1999

We lost touch with Mark after he left the horse business, until a chance meeting at the gas station a few months ago. We will always remember him as a hard worker who was always fun to talk to and who always had a smile on his face. Last time we talked to him he told us how happy he was and how well he was doing. Please accept our condolences on your loss.

Jeff and Diane Morris

Sat 11/27/99

I worked with Mark at FedEx....what a joy it was to see his smiling face everyday. You could see the pride he projected when he spoke of "his beautiful daughters". Feel the sorrow in his heart with the death of his father... conversations of how exciting it was that "Erica was coming!"... and never have I seen such a proud grandfather... (and at only 29 ...as we use to kid)... I remember him dashing off to the birth of his precious little Lily. I'll miss his "hello" beep as he would drive by my home on his way to make a pick up. I just wanted you all to know we share greatly in your sorrow. You could tell Mark loved his family deeply and that you were always in his heart... it showed in everything about him. We will miss him dearly. Our prays are with you all.

Mary

Sun 11/28/99

We met Mark a year ago when we opened our store in Stewartsville. His enthusiasm and knowledge helped us a great deal in our venture. As time went on he was no longer "the FedEx guy with the nice eyes" - he became Mark, our friend and confidant. We will miss him very much. Our prayers to Sue and his family.

Anthony and Pamela Cace
printplus

Sun 11/28/99

I knew Mark since High School and have not seen him since Timmy, Mark, and I lived together on Cumberland Street in Bangor, ME., 20 years ago. I saw his obituary in the paper and was very sad to see this happen to a friend. Please accept my sympathy and know he has more friends out there who are unable to make it to New Jersey at this time. Please let Sue know how much we really cared for Mark. He was and will always be known as STREAKER to me and to many of us who knew him in the earlier part of his life. He was a great person. I could share many stories about Mark and all of us together but the biggest thing about Mark was how big his heart was and how he cared for people. Maybe someday I will have as big as heart as MARK (STREAKER) STRATTON'S

Thank you for reading this and please know Mark has touched part of all of us....
Daniel (Dan) A. Gallant

Sun 11/28/99

To my cousin Mark, Aunt Sally, and all his family:

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words can not express. Romans 8:26

Since I heard this news of Mark's life taken so soon, I have wondered why? How could this be? Typical of most families, we drift apart and go on with our lives. But, I always think of family to be always there. Mark, only a year older than I, and he the first grandchild, I the second, I expected our lives to continue into ripe old ages and to always cross each other's paths. To catch up on our lives with each other, to share our children's lives, and then our grandchildren's. I have recollection of our lives as children playing as cousins do when they are kids, time spent at Aunt Sally's home. The racehorse in the front yard, playing in the fields as children, the big family dinner with long tables and us kids eating at smaller, separate tables. I remember riding the ponies bareback and without bridles going through the woods and being knocked off their backs by branches up on a farm. Childhood memories.I think of these now.

Mark was special to me, we were the oldest, mom shared with me that we were 'babies' together. Families grow and they are not so close. Cousin, I will always treasure you in my heart. Even though life had been sometimes difficult, to me, Mark always kept a tender side, such a trait to be admired. The last time I saw Mark, a few months ago, we said then that we should all stay in touch more often, we shared addresses. We did have that time to quickly catch up, share family tidbits, Mark so happy with Sue and proud of his girls and grandbaby to be born soon. I was glad to see him so happy with Sue whom he truly respected and loved. I am forever grateful we had those few moments.

I know Mark is in a better place, he no longer suffers as we, we are left to cry and share our pain of this tragic loss. It was not suppose to be this way... or so I thought. I do believe that God has a better plan for Mark and I place my faith in that. My thoughts and prayers are with you Aunt Sally, Sue, Peter, Paul, David, and Matt and Mark's girls.

See you on Tuesday,
Love, Cathy

Sun 11/28/99

I can remember when my sister Sue first told me about Mark. How excited she was to introduce him to our family. Over the years we have watched how close they have become. The genuine love they have for each other. My heart is so heavy and sad over the lose of our friend Mark, whom always considered my family a part of his family. He always called me "sis." He was a loving, caring and considerate person. I pray that the Lord will wrap his arms around my sister Sue and Mark's family and give them the strength to get through this tragedy. Just know our thoughts and prayers are with you now and for as long as you need them.

Kurt, Sandee, Jennifer, Katie, Julie

Mon 11/29/99

We are extremely sorry to hear about Mark. Although we were a very small part of his life, as his FedEx customers, he was a very large part of ours. Always smiling and upbeat, he brought sunshine into our offices every time he entered. We were blessed to have known him.

Sue, Susan and Joyce
Barton's West End Farms

Mon 11/29/99

Mark Stratton was my friend and my fellow FedEx jersey buddy. We shared a lot when we worked together. We shared laughs, we shared gripes but most of all, we could always cheer each other up when the job became too stressful. Mark always had a way to make me smile or laugh when I was down. He was always there to help me when too many pick-ups came across our DADS unit. We worked well together. Always willing to go that extra mile for each other when our job became too stressful. Mark would always tell me- "I miss you out in jersey, no one can do your route the way you can. It always takes three guys to do what you could." He had a heart of gold and I will miss him dearly. I will always remember his smile, his kind eyes and his charming personality. I am very happy I was able to say goodbye to him (I am leaving the state soon) and to know we parted as good friends. In his own way he touched my life and changed it forever. Thank you Mark-

Your good friend and fellow jersey buddy,
Jacquie Kemmerer

Mon 11/30/99

Dear Mark,

I am so very glad that you were in the delivery room for the birth of our granddaughter, Lily, and that you were the first to hold her. I know in my heart that you are in a better place now, and that you and your Dad will watch over the girls and keep them safe. I will take good care of our girls for you.

Always,
Jill

Tues 11/30/99

I was Mark's dispatcher at FedEx. He was a pleasure to work with. He was bright, ambitious and meticulous in his work. I always enjoyed talking with him about horses, skiing, his family and life
in general. It was cute to see him get excited whenever the Patriots won a game.

My deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and most especially to Sue. He will be dearly missed as a co-worker and as a friend. He will always hold a special place in my heart.

Heather Lenci
FedEx

Tues 11/30/99

Dear family and friends of Mark Stratton,

I'm a co-worker of Mark's at FedEx. I didn't know Mark very well, I would see him everyday in passing, but I do know he was a fellow smiler...smiling always makes the receiver feel just a little bit better, and I can tell he did that for a lot of people. We will miss Mark from our FedEx family. I hope you can find strength in each other and may God shine upon you.

Sue Van B
FedEx

Wed 12/1/99

I had the great pleasure of working with Mark the last three years at Northwest. His ever brilliant smile and strings of jokes were a welcome relief to every workday. Not to forget his hard working nature, he always gave 110% at any task and went that extra mile for his passengers as well as his coworkers. His gregarious nature and attitude were what made him special. He was truly one of the most thoughtful people to work with. After the birth of my son last year, he would call to see how we were all doing.
Not too many coworkers would do that. Only someone you would call a friend. I am fortunate to have found that out, working with Mark. He will be greatly missed.

I can't possibly put into words how very sorry I am for Mark's family to lose someone so young and so full of life. My deepest sympathy to you Sue, and to all of Mark's family. You were all truly his life, one he was very proud of.

All my thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this very difficult time.

Anne-Marie Kane
Northwest Airlines

Thu 12/2/99

Dear Sue, Sally, Peter, Paul, Matt, David, Rebecca, Sarah, Erica & Family,

I had the pleasure of meeting Mark a few years back when he came to work with Northwest Airlines. Over that time, I got to know him. I am lucky to have had the pleasure of working with someone who was genuine and kind and giving. He was always smiling and happy. He would always make me laugh for one reason or another. He was just that way. He was always light-hearted and pleasant. Without him at work, an emptiness will remain. I sincerely do not know of anyone like Mark, who never said a bad thing about anyone. I remember back in the earlier years working with Mark, that there was a time I needed some help. I was in a situation where I had to get off work a lot. And who was there for me? Mark. Whether he finished my shift for 2 hrs or working a whole 8 hrs., he was there. I could call Mark on a moments notice and he would say, "Ya, sure, I'll be in". I often wondered if he ever got rest cause he worked so much. And you know, that year for Christmas, Mark gave me a card and gift, thanking me for giving him extra hours. I am the one who should have given, not he. He did me the favor. I am going to miss Mark. I'll miss him making me laugh, his blue eyes and friendly smile.

I can not express in words the sadness I feel for all of you. I truly pray that you can find peace and comfort, now, and in the days to come. Remember that there are so many people thinking of you and praying for you and the Lord is watching over you now, as you grieve. He is there for you.

A friend and co-worker
Lori Strychalski
Northwest Airlines