Mark Anthony Barhanovich

""Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.""
~From a headstone in Ireland
Long having expanded and elevated his family's legacy of community service, native Biloxian Mark Barhanovich tragically passed unto his maker's care Sunday, September 16th, in a boating accident while pursuing his hereditary passion for fishing.
His was a life lived well, but as with all men of accomplishment, a life not lived long enough.
Mark epitomized integrity in his personal and professional life, offering those who knew him a steady influence, heartfelt counsel and unwavering support. His commitment to family and hometown was widely known and universally respected. He was a proud husband, father and grandfather; a loving son, brother and best friend.
An avid Biloxian, Mark was also a fiercely competitive athlete, a civic leader and a relentless volunteer. He was born into a life of community service as defined by his powerhouse father Frank ""Yankie"" Barhanovich and his older brother Frank, a former Biloxi councilman.
Mark at first drafted off their service to city, but quickly forged a trail of community involvement all his own. Never one to promote himself, Mark worked tirelessly behind the scenes to assist those in need. He always answered when called and always shared when asked. He was someone to count on time and again, someone to admire and someone to emulate.
His was a life steeped in accomplishment and dedicated in service to community and his fellow man. Mark had done so much for so many, yet had so much more to give. He leaves a void deep within his city and even deeper within his family which always relied on his strength as a pathway through life's challenges.
An exemplary citizen in all manner of description, Mark was the youngest of the children of Frank and Myrtle. He distinguished himself early through athletics and his natural concern for others. He was a standout football and baseball player at his beloved Biloxi High School, and later a placekicker for the USM Golden Eagles. Sports were always an important part of Mark's life, from fishing with his father and siblings to bowling, at which he twice rolled perfect games of 300. He coached his daughter Dana's softball team to a championship and was ever passionate in his support of his high school and college athletic teams.
He followed his father in the insurance business and built a solid reputation for more than 32 years, most recently as Vice President of the Insurance Center, where he won numerous industry awards.
Mark belonged to many civic and professional organizations throughout his career. He was a member of Leadership Gulf Coast 1997. He was a 20-year member and past president and treasurer of the Biloxi Lions Club, and recently was presented with the Edwin Dalstrom Distinguished Service Award of the Mid-South Lions and was selected a Melvin Jones Fellow for 2011-2012. He served the Biloxi Doll & Toy Fund for more than 25 years, and was its president since 2010. He was the treasurer of the South Mississippi Association of Health Underwriters Chapter. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Biloxi High's Big Red Foundation and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He also was a proud member of the Slavic Benevolent Association, the Biloxi Businessmen's Club, the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce, the USM Eagle Club, the Biloxi Elks and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bowling Association.
He also was a longtime parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.
In 1999, Mark received what he considered his greatest honor, when he was named Father of the Year by the Lions Club.
Mark was predeceased by his father Frank, his stillborn sister Rita, his grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Henry Diaz Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barhanovich, his nephew Roy T. Ebberman III, his mother-in-law Billie Delores McNeil, his father-in-law Charles Edward Patrick, and in-laws Pamela Ann Barq, Michael Charles Patrick and Charles Edward Patrick.
He is survived by his wife Jerrie Patrick Barhanovich, daughters Jamie Barhanovich Mitchell (Jason) and Dana Barhanovich, son Steven Patrick Barhanovich and grandchildren Emma Joy Mitchell and Jackson Franklin Mitchell. He also is survived by his mother Myrtle Diaz Barhanovich of Biloxi, sisters Martha Ann Ebberman (Roy), Kathy Polite (Chuck), brothers Frank Barhanovich and Kenny Barhanovich (Diane) and 11 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 19th, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 20th, at 11 a.m. at Fatima. Friends may visit one hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Biloxi Doll & Toy Fund, PO Box 8691, Biloxi MS 39535, the Salvation Army or the Biloxi Lions Club.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Rd, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.