Mark Kaye Johnston, 64 years old, passed unexpectedly in Richmond, Maine on Thursday evening, October 25, 2018. Mark was born in Portland, Maine on April 12, 1954 to Sonia Kaye Johnston and Thomas Finney Johnston. Mark graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1972 where he participated in soccer, was a member of the science club, the math team, the conservation club, National Honor Society, served as class vice president his Freshman year and class president his Junior year. He subsequently graduated from the University of Maine, Orono in 1977 with a degree in accounting and later became a Certified Internal Auditor.

Mark’s first career in banking involved internal auditing when he attained the Certified Internal Auditor certification, to be one of the first CIA’s in Maine (which he jokingly and proudly boasted about for obvious reasons to most), and coordinated bank audits for the Northeast Region of KeyCorp. During his latter banking years, he served as Senior Vice President of Administration for KeyBank of Maine.  After working in banking for 20 years, Mark then joined the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP) in 1997 and he had been an integral part of their Senior Management team ever since.  Mark was first hired as KVCAP’s Youth Build and Housing Director, and was quickly promoted to Chief Financial Officer overseeing finance, information technology, and facilities.  Mark played a major role in the development of numerous projects, among them being the Gerald Hotel senior housing project, Cony Village, and assisting with the construction oversight of Educare Central Maine.  Mark loved working for KVCAP and believed wholeheartedly in its mission – to help people and families living in poverty to become more economically stable.  His work in community action was far reaching and his gift of making lasting friendships extended throughout Maine, New England and beyond.  He served on many committees; one near and dear to his heart was the Northern New England Community Action Conference Committee.  He always will be remembered for his generosity, humor and kind heart through the close friendships that he forged during his careers at KVCAP and KeyBank.

Outside of work, Mark was devoted to various local community organizations, among them the Boy Scouts of America, first as a teen, earning the highest attainable rank as Eagle Scout at the age of 16, later becoming committee chair while his son completed the program, and most recently, happily watching as both his grandsons continue the tradition.  He has served as a member on the board of Genesis Community Loan Fund in Bath, was a founding member, and President, of the Richmond Eldercare Coalition for 22 years, and the Treasurer of the Richmond Area Health Center for over 10 years.

In addition to these roles, Mark always found time to spend with his family, friends, and colleagues.  He enjoyed golfing, snowmobiling, entertaining, attending his grandson’s sporting events, and attending as many Red Sox games as he could. Most recently, he had also become intrigued by skydiving. But what he was most known for was his love for boating, whether it be "kickin back" on the Kennebec, exploring all of Maine's beautiful coast, or just spending the night under the stars rocking in the gentle waves.  He took pride in giving any and everyone tours while aboard his beloved Bayliner and dedicated every summer vacation to spending it cruising the water with his wife.  In addition, Mark also looked forward to his annual 'guys camping weekend' with his grandsons on Jewel Island every August.  His love for his family and friends will be everlasting.

Mark is predeceased by his parents, Sonia and Thomas Johnston, and is survived by his loving family: his wife, Pamela Vokes Johnston; son, Chad Johnston and wife,

Samantha Johnston of Dresden, ME and their sons, Benjamin and Jeremy Johnston; daughter, Sarah Johnston and partner, Nathan Roseberry of Richmond, ME; brother, Michael Johnston and wife Carol of Hershey, PA, and his sister, Maureen Johnston, and husband James Leslie of South Berwick, ME; and several nieces, nephews, distant family from the UK, and his best friends David and Jean Bushnell of Columbus, OH.

Please join us as we celebrate the life of Mark, on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018 at Kincer's Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant Street, Richmond, Maine.  Service hours will be 1-4pm with a reserved time for sharing and honorable speeches at 3pm.  A social gathering will follow at The Old Goat, on Main Street, Richmond, Maine, where light food, refreshments and spirits will be served -and where some may take comfort in celebrating Mark overlooking the Kennebec.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage those who wish to send donations to any of the three top organizations that are near and dear to his heart,

 

The Richmond Elder Coalition, care of Denise Gibbs at REC, 3 North Pleasant St, Richmond, Maine, 04357

The Richmond Area Health Center, care of Diane Crosby at RAHC, 24 Gardiner St, Richmond, Maine, 04357

The HOPE Fund, care of Suzanne Walsh at KVCAP, 5128, 97 Water St, Waterville, Maine, 04901