Prayers needed please - Mark Brewer

[CobraII]

The funeral home yesterday:

[no1fordgirl]

I'm sure he was smiling down at that ^

[CobraII]

Thursday, December 3, 2009 8:09 PM, EST
Before the weeks leading to surgery, we talked about things as couples do. Mark did have two wishes if anything happened. 1. no mechanical means of life support with no pain. 2. To be layed to rest next to his brother Rob. I told him to write down all his intentions, he said, "Why, I have you and you'll know what to do." I said, "Well can you help me out here, I need to know." Mark's reply, "Your a smart girl!"
I kept both of his requests. Mark was laid to rest beside his brother Rob and when the Angels come for me I will rest beside Mark. These last couple days were hard, yet heartwarming. When I started to break down, Dave would hug me and say, just look around and see all the love. All the love for Mark. His procession to the track and to his final resting place had 69 cars. His 69 Mach 1 lead and Dave Davis's 69 Mach 1 was the last car! Mark made his final winning pass at Pittsburgh Raceway Park with everyone cheering for him. I have his time card and I will cherish it forever. (we have to work on the 60ft time).
I can't say THANK YOU enough to each and everyone for all your prayers, thoughts, memories and the LOVE that you have given to Mark and myself. Mark and I both have deep faith, and our faith tells us that Mark is okay and in Heaven doing what he loves to do, making horsepower and smiling when one of his motors crosses that finish line. I know it's going to be difficult for our kids and myself, but we will carry Mark in our hearts. "We" will do it together! So try not to have too many tears, Mark always wanted hugs and smiles!
God speed my buddy! #53 "You and Me"
Always, "Thinking of Nikki"......And "our" Mark.....

[CobraII]

Saturday, December 5, 2009 11:08 PM, EST
Hi everyone. I'm just about ready for bed, but the nights and mornings are really tough right now. I guess reality is setting in for me now. This morning I had to remember not to make coffee since Mark isn't here. So I sat and had my tea and toast with a lot of tears. When I got up to wash my cup I looked out the kitchen window and saw the first snow that stuck to the ground and trees and I said "honey look the first snow!" Mark always liked the first snow and how it looks on the trees. But after a couple of good snows and plowing the driveway he would say "okay enough already!" And I would laugh and say "but honey it looks so pretty on the trees" when he would come in looking like the abdominale snowman! He loved the change of seasons, I on the other hand love hot weather! Two complete opposites! When we would have a good snow at night he would say, let's go and we would drive just to see the snow on the trees at night! Mark loved his trees! He said all that oxygen was good for motors! We call them oxygen sticks!
I just keep thinking of all the happy memories now, and I can't think of not even one bad memory. I guess because there was never a dull moment in the Brewer household. Mark never lost his temper because he never had one. Sure he would get upset but never to the extreme. He never held any grudges toward anyone. In fact, Mark went to Heaven with no regrets. However, there were times when he would be sad because he couldn't spend time with me and the kids and I would just tell him that I understood and kept telling him what a good provider he is. I can remember so many times that we would go to dinner after work and he wanted to go home and get cleaned up first, and I would say why? It didn't matter to me at all if he was in his work clothes. I told him that he worked hard for a living and just let someone say something and they would have to deal with me. I was so proud of him! And besides you should have seen what I looked like sometimes after work! LOL I am really going to miss those after-work dinners!
I have so many memories, and when my heart really aches, I just sit and think of the memories! I would really love to hear your stories or memories of Mark. I think we all need to get through this together. Later on, I will tell you all how we met. I know he tells it way diffent than I do but in the end it sure is a good story!
I hope everyone is doing okay because I know it was a big shock. I'm thinking of you too!
Good night
Christine

[CobraII]

If you're not on Mark's CaringBridge page, there were 69 cars in the procession, led by Mark's '69 on a flatbed driven by Mark Jr, and ended by a friend's '69 on a flatbed. A good number of friends brought their cars out on a drizzly gray morning to pay tribute, in addition to all the cars in the earlier pic I posted. '64 Fairlane, '69 Camaro, '66 Olds 442, '66 Olds 4 door, '65 Impala, '68 Shelby Mustang convertible, '69 GTO. After the service, it was off to the track, for Mark to take one more win light. I talked to Christine Thursday night, and she was doing pretty good.

The Camaro and Olds in front of the funeral home:



The crowd watching the last pass:





Staged up:



Hard to see, I'll replace it if I get a better image:

[05mineralgt]

I am extremely sorry that i could not make it to the funeral home. My grandparents were there, they told me he had his shirt. ha this way him and bobby can go at it now on a car...

I am so sorry. If you need any help at the shop, my time is nothing but volunteer time. Please contact me if you need it, it is the least i can do.

Mark is in our prayers...

The Entire Pardus Family

[Sonic03snake]

Man, what a great tribute!!! I can only hope my friends and family would do the same for me. Heading down the track one last time is just awesome. Rip Mark

[Mater]

Man, what a great tribute!!! I can only hope my friends and family would do the same for me. Heading down the track one last time is just awesome. Rip Mark

x2 Rip Mark

[AdamantiumSilvr]

...Seein those funeral pics with his cars n everybody else's, plus his very last pass @ PRP just brought ta my eyes, wow! RIP Mark and may God Bless ur family!

x2 Rip Mark

[95gts]

Wow Sorry to Hear!!! I cant belive it sorry mark.... oh yea this is Holp

[CobraII]

Christine's post on how she and Mark met, good stuff.

Today was a really bad day. I guess it was because it's Monday and I would let Mark know what we had for the week and remind him of who he had to call or tow in. Plus, I'm sick and went to the doctors and then to the funeral home to pick up Mark's certificates. And I guess it's one second at a time. Sonya helped out today and Mike once again did an excellent job for us! A few customers (friends) came in and Father John stopped by too! Father John said it right though, we're all lost sheep! The hardest visitor today was Joe Zeoli. One of Mark's great friends. I did manage to make a couple of phone calls to check on some of our friends. I have a few more to go and one special phone call to make, but I need more time.
It's time for a memory! How Mark and I met! Well, my old 1974 Ford LTD was making a tapping noise so I took in to where I would have my car repairs done and the gentleman that used to work was gone and Mark was working there. So, I told Mark that my valves needed adjusted because they where getting loud and he proceded to tell me that they were unadjustable and ramble on about my motor and I didn't know what I was talking about. So, I said to him, "Well, thank you very much! And, I don't like you!" He said, "Well, I don't like you either!" Me, "So are you going to fix my car or what?" Him, "Maybe, maybe not!" Him, "Your going to have to do it my way because I know more than you!" Me, "Fine!" So, I waited and I don't know what he did, but she was quiet as ever! Then Mark asked me to go for coffee! I said, "Didn't you hear what I said, I don't like you!" Him, "I didn't ask you if you liked me, I only asked you to go for coffee!" I can remember how frustrated I was and he just smiled!!! Then said, "Well at least you drive a Ford." I said, "Do they make cars other than Fords?" So from that day, he was very persistant and I resisted. So, we would talk now and then on the phone after all he had my number from my repair order!
We really never had a first date though, Mark came over to my home and we were supposed to go out, but we ended up talking till 4 in the morning and boy could he talk! I was amazed of the knowledge he had of Fords and Mustangs. I think he had my heart when he said Mustangs! But our first real date he came over in his 66 Black Mustang Convertible, 4 speed, posi, 289 HP! He was showing off though shifting without the clutch, smart ass! I remember it was cold and two dumbies decided to put the top down and we had a blast, of course we were sick after that, but we had fun! Then he let me drive the Mustang and mind you I haven't driven a stick in a long time, but he said that okay I have another clutch at home!! God, I miss him so much! I love the memories! But, he never did have to replace the clutch in the old girl! How about that! He would say, just listen and she'll tell you when to shift! How did I get so lucky! I guess Mark is telling me to listen! And, to take care of me now!

Good night
Always, "Thinking of Nikki and Mark".....Forever 53

[1Badbird]

That's awsome! I'm sure you have a ton of great memories like that. It's always great to remember, even when it hurts. Thanks for sharing!

[94REDGT]

Im very sorry for your loss.....

[AdamantiumSilvr]

What I would give to have a gal who luvs cars and Stangs!!!!! Pretty interesting and neat meetin story too. Stay strong Christine, keep the wanderin lost heard together!

[CobraII]

Here's the latest couple of updates. I was at AJ & Brianna's wedding as well, and was honored to share a dance with Christine. She's hanging in there.

Saturday, December 12, 2009 12:09 AM, EST
This week was a really shitty week! I guess I am going to have a few of those, but I am still taking it one day at a time with melt downs. I started to write a couple of times, but my mind is running a mile a minute. I am, however, so blessed to have my family and my friends near and far! I did go to counseling this week and I am going to find a grieving group through hospice too! Going to counseling this week with our counselor that we have known for 11 years really helped me to "pause" and I know I have to take care of myself and I had offered this to my kids when they are ready. We all can "benefit" from going. I tried doing the "normal" stuff, but found myself having panic attacks. But I would get on the phone and talk to Tammie, her husband went to Heaven eight years ago on 12/7/01. So we cry and laugh together. Thank you Tammie. I also talked to Karen and Bob and we held each others hands. Love you both! Sonya, has been my rock even though on the 15th will be one year since JoLynn, her mommy, went to Heaven too! I love you girl! Then a good friend of ours, Jeff DeMary, his dad Al, passed away yesterday. So this morning when I was praying I had a little talk with God. I asked him to kinda leave us all alone for a long time and let us heal. I didn't exactly put it that way, but God knows me and He knows I speak what is on my mind. Maybe I shouldn't have asked for that, but we need time to heal.

Today, (or now yesterday), AJ Casini married Brianna Bowman. Mark & I were invited to the wedding and I debated all week if I should go. Up until I had to leave I was still debating and having a panic attack. But I put one foot in front of the other and drove with tears there. I am glad that I went! Our friends were there and I felt safe. Even though I was ready to have a melt down, I just looked around and saw all the love that was in that room. I danced, I laughed and I cried. But I saw a new beginning for a young couple and they're going to be just fine! Congratulations to AJ and Brianna! I also got to see Paul, and boy do we have some good memories of Mark and racing. We love you Paul! Thank you to our friends for all the hugs!

Sleep well, good night!

Always, "Thinking of Nikki"....and "our" Mark...Forever, "53"

[CobraII]

Monday, December 14, 2009 8:10 PM, EST
The first time Mark took me to the track was the first Sunday after Easter in 1985. He took his black Mustang ragtop. We pulled into the street lanes. He was filing out his tech card and I wondered around. Two cars were in the burnout box, cars getting unloaded, cars down the track, tire smoke and this smell I never smelled before, race gas! What a great date! I had no idea what was going on. Who was who, what time trials were, but Mark explained everything to me included why one car left and the other was chasing it down?? I did some street racing (shhh don't tell my Mom). Mark said this is bracket racing, all I knew this looked like fun and I wanted to do it! I didn't tell him at first, because at that time I recall only 2 "girls" were racing. Remember, I was the shy one in this family!lol
Then came the Friday night racing! Race cars everywhere, lights on, and so much going on. Finally, I was standing in front of the street lanes watching and Mark asked me, "Well, what do you think?" I said, "This is great, but...I WANT my own car, I can do this!" You thought I gave him a million dollars! He said, okay! Mark quit racing the Mustang because he couldn't go faster that 13.99 in a ragtop without a roll bar, so our good buddy Glen had a 70 Monte Carlo for sale so Mark bought it, got it painted, tires, wheels, cam, lifters, timing chain & gears, intake, carb and gears. I remember when we bought the car it needed a right front fender because I recall Glen using the car as a hockey goalie (I'll check with Glen) Anyway, Mark sent me to Danser's to get a fender off. So I went with my little tool box and I can remember Ole Cutty telling me, "Girl if you can get that fender off by yourself, you can have anything off the car." I said, "Deal." Well a couple of hours later, Mr. Cutty, came up and saw the fender laying there and I was in the process of taking more stuff off, and let's just say the price of the fender went down a little!! I think he made a phone call to Mark when I left cause when I got back, Mark just said, "That's my girl!" I knew then, God set this whole thing up!
The first time that I was going to take the car down, Mark showed me where I should be in the burnout box, where the staging beams are (I always wondered how the lights started), and walked me clear down to the finish line and to the return road. While he was telling me all this, I was shaking. Finally my turn. Well, I couldn't exactly do a burnout, so he opened the door and said "Get mad at it!" So I did and I made tire smoke. Then I stalled the car! My leg was shaking and the door opened again, and all he said was, "Take your time, you can do this!" So, I staged the car, lights came down, floored the throttle and laughed the whole way down the track and screaming "This is great!" Turned on the return road shaking and laughing and Mark waiting for me, and said "No fair, you went faster than me!" I think we smiled for days after that. A couple of weeks later, Mark bought my very first race car, 1968 Mercury Cougar.......stay tuned!!


Love you all, Forever "53"

Always, "Thinking of Nikki"....and "our" Mark.....

[CobraII]

I have been debated whether to finish Mark's journey on his care pages. The New Year is fast approaching and how Mark loved the New Year! Christmas time was hard for Mark, he missed his Mom and Dad, my Dad and this year I knew it was going to be hard due to the loss of his brother, Rob and our Angel Nikki. But we managed to get through Christmas together. I always gave him his space. But when New Year's eve came, he would get excited. The New Year brought a "new beginning" he would say. New race season, new motors, new friends and what was he going to race! After New Year's day or a couple of days later, he would go and buy himself a new pair of tenner shoes just for racing and racing only! They had to be just right and I could remember going from one store to the other just to find the right pair, and they had to have some blue on them. He even had me buying my new pair! Mark was very superstitious also. I know a lot of his friends knew he didn't like the number 13! His number "53" came from Herbie the love bug! And, he had his thing that he did on race days, he did everything the same way all the time. Mark wanted to be consistent. I guess I got that from him too!
Mark would race anything as long at it had wheels. Mark did race Chevys! He didn't care it had wheels! I can remember when he raced his motorcycle. I was so nervous, but he was having fun! But I was happy when he went back to racing 4 wheels. Mark always wanted to do something different every year, whether it was changing the combination, or building the blown alky motor for the 68 Mustang. He even raced my Escort Station wagon, and won too!
This year he wanted to put the Copper Mustang on the bumper! I believe he's working on that right now!
I want to share more memories, but Marge is right, it would take a book. I knew Mark pretty darn well. And somehow I get this feeling that he wants us to bring in that New Year the way he did, with lots of excitement. So, what do you say?
I want to wish each and everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New "beginning" Year from "our" kids and myself! Thank you so much for your prayers, thoughts and checking up on all of us! We are truly blessed!

Forever "53"...
Always, "Thinking of Nikki"....

[CobraII]

Thursday, December 24, 2009 10:39 PM, EST

Merry Christmas Mark. I carried on your tradition of shopping on Christmas Eve. I got the kids their flannels and put something extra in the pockets for them. I also wrapped their gifts like you do! The kids and Sonya gave us the best present ever! They had their pictures taken with The Motorworks t-shirts on! The pictures are just beautiful! I know you can see them and I know they made you proud of them! Our boys!
Barb and Arnie made you a Christmas tree and we went out tonight to turn the lights on for you. As we were leaving we could see the tree all lite up just for you! I miss you, we miss you, but I know you are spending Christmas with Jesus now and forever. You know I will always love you, the love of my life! I played your favorite Christmas song, the one by the Carpenters and I sang and sang. Even though you were the one who would sing to me, I was pretty good as your back up singer!
Tell Bobby we're thinking about him today too! Christmas Eve is when the Angels came to take him to Heaven. Give Nikki a big hug too, we miss her dearly! I'm sure Nikki is teaching you crafting! Tell Rob I miss the good holiday conversations! My Dad, your Mom and Dad are with you and I know your having a great dinner! JoLynn, we miss you too and we're praying for snow on Christmas Day just for you and I am going to watch White Christmas and think of you! Let Ahmend know that Tammie, Omar and Laila are doing well and the kids are growing into wonderful young adults. And, I did do something special for Tom today because he misses Terry very much just as you asked me to.
We miss you all very much! So, my love, have a Merry Christmas! That new beginning is just around the corner!

Love,
Christine, "T", Joey, Luke, Markie & Sonya

P. S. Just like you always said, "Christine, gotta keep the kids on the straight and narrow" and honey I will, that's my present to you!!!



Forever "53"

Always, "Thinking of Nikki".......

[CobraII]

Christine's New Year's Eve post to Mark.

Thursday, December 31, 2009 11:05 PM, EST

It's almost the new year baby. I already had some ice cream cause I needed to smile. Our memories make me smile even more. It's a "new beginning" for all of us now and I'm not sure how we are going to do, but I know you are watching over us. I have mixed emotions and I guess I'm a little lost right now but like you always did, you gave me my space and then said "we gotta keep moving". You never wallowed in the past, you lived for each day. Greeted each day with a smile even on the days there was a little grumbling under your breath. So, my dear, I will try to do the same. It's going to be a little rough for me, but you know me, if I don't have a mountain to move, I'm not happy! I will always take care of you and you know I will always love you!
The kids are doing okay. They miss you, but they have their memories too, great memories! They're good kids! After all, they have you!
Well, how's that new motor coming for God? I could just hear that conversation. God is probably saying He wants to do His way! And you saying, "Okay we'll do it your way and when you had enough, we'll do it my way, the Brewer way!" How many times have you had that conversation? I can mention a few names! LOL
Oh, honey, keep making memories! I miss you! Tell Nikki 'thank you' and she is as beautiful as ever! Keep watching over us cause we're going to need it! 2009 will soon be done and we all can't wait to kiss it good-bye. 2010 is going to be a challenge, but when you have families and friends like we have, we'll get through it together!
Happy New "beginnings" Year to our families, friends and our racing family! It's time to help each other heal. We have more mountains to move and cancer really sucks!! This new year, we'll make more memories!
Happy New Year baby!!

Forever "53".....
Always, "Thinking of Nikki"......

[CobraII]

Wednesday, January 6, 2010 8:34 PM, EST

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New "beginnings" Year! We're doing okay. One day at a time. Thank you for the phone calls, emails and the visits, we so appreciate them all! I would like to ask for prayers for Sonya's Dad, Vic, who had surgery and is on the road to recovery! After all, we have the best prayer warriors!
I guess I should tell the story about ice- cream. Well, Mark would do towing at the end of the day after work, and around dinner time, he would ask me if I was still his "best buddy" and I would say, "Yes, why?" Mark would say, "Good, you can go towing with me." Now mind you, sometimes we wouldn't get home from work until 7 or 8pm at night and by the time we were done with dinner it was late and the last thing I wanted to do was go back out and tow. But I would go. The first time I went with him I asked where do we have to go, and he said, "Up past Latrobe." Yeah, right! Half way to Johnstown! So, I said on the way back, "I want ice-cream!" Mark looks at me and said, "Where are we going to get ice-cream?" I said, "I don't know, are you still my "best buddy"?" So, Mark pulled into the Sheetz at the bottom of 711 and bought a bag full of ice-cream bars and we sat and ate ice-cream. I said, "See, ice-cream always makes you smile!" And smile we did. So since that time no matter if we were towing, out in a hot rod or on the motorcycle we always stopped for ice-cream whether is was DQ or plain ole ice-cream bars. I would even go and get ice-cream for all of us at work so we could take a break and smile!
The shock is starting to wear off now just as my counselor said it would and this is the longest Mark and I have been apart. But, I know in my heart Mark is okay now and doing what he loves to do, and I too will be okay along with the kids. I have my moments and that's okay too. There are still some people who did not know of Mark's passing and it's hard to fill them in, but I do the best I can. We have had some calls from people who were referred to us by other people who needed carburetor work or needed help with their hot rods and said that Mark was the best and the go-to-man, and that breaks my heart when I have to tell them of Mark's passing. But, everyone that Mark touched, he also taught them too and that is what we have to remember. I always told him to become a teacher. He has the patients of Jobe! But then he couldn't do what he loved to do the most! But now looking back, he was a great teacher! Now when we share memories of Mark, along with a little tears, there's a little laughter and smiles. After all, when Mark started his journey, all he wanted was "hugs" & "smiles"!! Time for "ice-cream", it always makes you smile!!
Love you all,
Christine
Forever "53"........
Always, "Thinking of Nikki".......