Mark Rodriguez Alonso

Mark Rodriquez Alonso, age 59, resident of Gulfport, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2011, at Biloxi Regional Medical Center.
Mark was born June 13, 1951, in Yonkers, New York. In Yonkers, he attended both elementary and high school. After completing his high school education, he moved to Florida to get a degree in oceanography at the Harbor Branch Florida Atlantic University. He then obtained employment with NAVO at Stennis Space Center where he worked as a supervisor for 21 years. Throughout his career, he traveled extensively around the world to places such as Barbados, Guam, Spain and Brazil. Later in life, Mark worked in the construction business, during which time he performed beautiful remodeling work. Mark then ventured into the pool business, cleaning and serving swimming pools.
Mark was an avid scuba diver and loved diving in exotic places, such as Cozumel, Lil Cayman, Roatan, and Utila. In addition to diving, Mark enjoyed underwater photography. While on land, he enjoyed taking pictures of both people, such as his family, and of nature, particularly flowers. His passions also included spear fishing on the rigs and cooking. He also had a love for English Pointers, a breed of hunting dogs.
Mark's life-long love of the ocean led to his dream of retiring and residing in the Caribbean, where he could walk on the sand beaches, scuba dive and enjoy life by the sea. Although he was not able to achieve that dream due to illness, he continued to travel to his Caribbean paradise until he could no longer do so.
Mark was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Alonso.
Mark is survived by his wife, Gail Rodgers Alonso; his mother, Margaret Alonso; his sister, Julia Wolf; his two daughters, Lara Alonso and Chrissy Alonso; and his two step daughters, Carley Rodgers and Cara Rodgers.
Mark will be loved and missed by his friends and family. May God take care of him and may he rest in peace.
There will be a private family memorial in honor of Mark.