Mark E. Hines Obituary (1950 - 2018) - Westford, Massachusetts

Mark Hines of Westford, MA died peacefully after a short battle with cancer on March 11, 2018. He was 67 years old and the middle son of Margaret (Teri Cadigan) and Clyde (Ken) Hines. Mark spent his early years in CA and then later moved with his family to CT where he finished high school. He completed degrees in Microbiology with a B.S. from Ohio State University in 1973, an M.S. from the University of Connecticut in 1978, and a Ph.D. in from the University of New Hampshire in 1981. His research involved understanding the roles of microorganism in cycling of elements in environments such as sediments, soils, and wetland peats. He more recently was working in high latitude environments and looking at factors influencing the methylation and demethylation of mercury in soils freshwater and marine sediments as well as in mines. Mark worked at UNH for many years and in 1995 moved to Alaska and took a faculty position in the Biology Dept. at University of Alaska Anchorage where he met the love of his life, Elaine Major. After a whirlwind romance filled with dancing, skiing, hiking, music, and travel, they were married in Alaska in 1998. They especially loved dancing together, spending time in the outdoors, visiting with family and friends, taking long walks on beaches, and adventures of all types. Mark loved research, teaching and mentoring students, and made friends where ever he went. He was often the life of the party and always had a story to tell, if not many! He was the most kind and thoughtful man and courageous until the end. In 2002, Mark took a faculty position in the Biology Dept. at UMass Lowell and later became Chair of the Dept. for 10 Years and then Dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences for 4 years. Mark is survived by his wife of 19 years, Elaine Major. Other survivors include: daughter Sarah Hines and son David Hines, stepsons Erik (wife Natasha) Gabrielson and Adam (wife Kasey Callison) Gabrielson, brothers Rick Hines of WA and Kirk Hines of CA. He was lovingly known as Poppy to his 4 young grandchildren, Anika, Brewer, Juniper, and Wilder Gabrielson. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Avanelle Major, brother-in-laws Charles and Alan Major, his ex-wife Kathy Sheridan, and many wonderful nieces and nephews, other family, and a multitude of friends from all around the world. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mark will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Elaine will forever miss his unconditional love, unbelievable kindness and consideration, the twinkle in his beautiful eyes, the fun they would have laughing together, and dancing in his arms. They were a perfect fit and packed a lot into the too short time they had together! Mark was an incredible role model and influence on Erik and Adam and they and their families will miss him dearly. No one will ever take the place of Poppy! A memorial service to celebrate Marks life will be held at March 24, 2018 at the University of Massachusetts Inn and Conference Center in Lowell, MA from 9am to noon. Additional services will be held in La Farge, Wisconsin and Eagle River, Alaska and will be scheduled soon. Memorials in Mark's name can be directed to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, Attn: 6th Floor/Donation for AML, Brookline, MA 02445, or to The University of Massachusetts Lowell in support of a scholarship in Marks name. Memorial contributions can be made online at www.uml.edu/givenow or mailed to: UMass Lowell Advancement Office, 600 Suffolk Street, Suite 160, Lowell, MA 01852. Checks should be made out to UMass Lowell and note that the gift is for the Dean Mark Hines Memorial Endowed Scholarship fund. Donations may also be made in his memory to La Farge United Methodist Church, 212 W Penn Street, La Farge, WI 54639. First Visitation March 24, 2018 9:00am - 12:00pm, University of Massachusetts Inn and Conference Center 50 Warren St. Lowell, MA 01852