Mark Dubois

In Loving Memory of Mark Dubois

« I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. » (2 Timothy 4:7)
With hearts full of both sorrow and deep gratitude, the Coptic Orthodox Church community in Ottawa (St. Mark and St. Mary of Egypt, as well as St. George and St. Anthony), along with all whose lives were graced by his radiant spirit, mourns the departure of our beloved brother and chantor, Mark Dubois (« Marky Mark »). Mark was called to his eternal rest, returning to the open arms of Our Lord and Savior he so faithfully loved and served.

A true soldier of Christ, Mark lived a life marked by profound surrender, childlike joy, and an unshakable conviction that he was cherished by his Heavenly Father. Often smiling from ear to ear, Mark would declare with radiant assurance, « God loves me SOOOO much! »

A Heart of Childlike Faith and Surrender
Mark possessed a rare, pure, childlike heart. Whatever circumstance life brought him, he remained joyful, deeply content, and fully grounded in the present moment. His favorite hymn was the simple yet eternal truth, « Jesus loves me, this I know. »

Mark first encountered his church family in 2022, riding his bicycle to attend Monday night Bible studies. Not long after his holy baptism, a medical complication during surgery left him paralyzed and using a wheelchair. When asked if he harbored any bitterness or anger toward God after dedicating his life to Him, Mark responded with heaven-sent wisdom: he knew God loved him, and he believed that through this trial, God had protected him and called him to a higher purpose. Despite his physical limitations and the weight of emotional and physical pain, Mark never fell out with God; instead, he saw his Father’s hand working for his good in all things. Through his resilience, Mark lived as a living
« school of patience, peace, and contentment », becoming an instrument of healing and faith for everyone around him.

A Devoted Chantor and Soldier of Christ
Mark deeply treasured the Coptic Orthodox Church and its sacraments. His excitement for the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Eucharist was unmatched. After services, he would remind others of the sacred privilege they held, saying, « You’re SO lucky. You can have the Eucharist every day! » He delighted in serving at the altar in his chantor’s tunic, standing front and center in the presence of God.

Mark had an abiding love for Scripture, cherishing Matthew 5 (the Beatitudes) and reciting the first chapter of James from memory, urging everyone to pray with steadfast faith without doubting. He had an intimate relationship with the heavenly hosts—deeply devoted to the Holy Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, whom he loved as his own mother; Archangel Michael; and the holy great-martyr St. George. St. George, also a soldier, held a special place in Mark’s heart, once reminding him in a vision: « Don’t be afraid, we leave no soldier behind. »

Infectious Love, Joy, and Ministry
Everywhere Mark went, he transformed hospital corridors, care residences, and streets into places of ministry and light:

● Spreading Joy: At Bruyère and at outreach, after Deacon Moses gifted him a wooden cross, Mark held it up high for every passerby to see, declaring « God bless you! » with an unforgettable, luminous smile.
● Serving Brothers: He eagerly visited and served his brothers at the Salvation Army, sharing whatever he could with selfless compassion.
● Uplifting Others: At St. Vincent’s, Mark would wheel through the halls playing country music on his iPad to bring cheer to other patients, playfully dreaming of buying a house in Mexico to treat the hardworking staff to a well-deserved vacation.
● An Unforgettable Presence: When greeted with « It’s good to see you, Mark, » his classic, profound reply was always: « It’s good to be seen »—a reflection of every soul’s longing to be seen by El Roi, the God who sees.
● Serving on the Frontlines: Despite his wheelchair and health struggles, Mark loved going out to serve the homeless. Witnesses fondly remember him happily handing out bottles of water from his wheelchair with boundless love, warmth, and a face radiating heavenly peace.
● Tender Compassion: He possessed a divine intuition for those in need of comfort. During a liturgy at St. Joseph’s, noticing a friend standing quietly at the back, Mark wheeled over, gently held their hand, and whispered with warmth: « I thought you could use a visit. » His humor was just as radiant; looking back with a grin, he’d say, « I know that God loves me so much… He made me THIS handsome! »

Falling Asleep in the Lord
Mark taught us what the upside-down Kingdom of God looks like: strength in weakness, unshakeable joy in trials, and Christ-like love in action. He was a chantor, a soldier of Christ, a faithful friend, and a light in the darkness.

May our Lord Jesus Christ repose the soul of His servant, Mark Dubois, in the Paradise of Joy, in the midst of all the saints, where there is no pain, sorrow, or sighing, but life everlasting.

Memory Eternal. God repose his soul.