Mark Skanes Cady

It is difficult to put into words what it means to lose Mark Cady, because Mark was never just a person you knew. Somehow, he became part of your life.

Mark had an extraordinary gift for making friends. He could meet someone for the first time and, before long, it felt as though they had known each other forever. He was funny, warm, curious, and wonderfully social. He loved people, and people loved Mark. He had thousands of friends across the country, and each one probably has a story about him—usually one that makes them laugh.

Mark had a way of bringing energy into a room. He loved to talk, tell stories, share a joke, and, sometimes, probably tell the same story more than once. He had a great sense of humor and never seemed to miss an opportunity to make someone smile. His laughter was contagious, and his presence could turn an ordinary day into something memorable.

Like his father, Mark had a natural gift for fixing things and lending a hand. His mind worked quickly, and he approached every challenge with the instincts of a true problem solver.

He began his career as a sales engineer and eventually started his own handyman business. He took pride in being able to figure things out and make things work again. But for Mark, the job was never just about the repair. He loved the people he met along the way. Going to someone's house to fix something often meant staying awhile, visiting, telling stories, and getting to know them. Helping people was simply part of who he was.

Mark cared deeply about others. He was a strong advocate for the Minnesota law prohibiting texting while driving, passed in 2019, because he believed in doing what he could to protect people. Whether he was helping someone with a home repair, speaking up for an important cause, or simply taking the time to listen, Mark had a genuine desire to make a difference.

And then there were motorcycles.

Mark loved the freedom, adventure, and camaraderie that came with riding. He was actively involved in several motorcycle clubs, including the West Bank Motorcycle Club. His recent motorcycle trip to Spain was exactly the kind of adventure Mark embraced. He traveled, explored, met people, and—true to Mark's nature—made new friends along the way.

Mark retired in 2023, but retirement was never going to mean sitting still. Mark was meant to be out in the world, surrounded by people, animals, motorcycles, laughter, and adventure. He loved life too much to simply watch it pass by.

He loved animals. He loved a good conversation. He loved a good laugh. He loved helping someone who needed a hand. He loved getting on his motorcycle and seeing where the road would take him. And most of all, he loved people.

Mark lived his life with an openness that is rare. He gave his time freely. He welcomed people in. He made connections that lasted. He didn't wait for the perfect moment to enjoy life—he enjoyed the moment he was in.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marilyn and Robert Cady, and his husband, Hubert Skanes Cady.

Mark is survived by his partner, Tony Miller, and his siblings, Steve (Robin) Cady, Tom Cady, Diane Cady, Sue (Tom) Rivera, Paul Cady, Dan (Jane) Cady, and David (Kim) Cady.

Mark considered his family to also include the countless friends he made throughout his life—the people he rode with, worked with, helped, laughed with, traveled with, and simply enjoyed being around.

There will be an empty place now where Mark's laughter used to be. There will be moments when someone reaches for the phone to call him, hears a story and wishes they could tell him, or remembers something he did and can't help but laugh.

And perhaps that is how Mark would want to be remembered—not only with sadness, but with laughter.

Remember the stories. Tell them often. Laughing at the things Mark did that make absolutely no sense but somehow made perfect sense because they were so completely Mark. Remember the adventures, the conversations, the rides, the kindness, and all the little moments that made having Mark in your life so special.

Mark didn't simply pass through this world. He left pieces of himself in thousands of people.

He will be missed more than words can say, loved more than he probably ever realized, and remembered for a very, very long time.

A celebration of Mark's life will be announced at a future date. Family and friends are invited to come together to share memories, stories, laughter, and the love that Mark gave so freely to all of us.