Strafford, NH – John F. “ Twoey ” Markle, Jr., of Strafford, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 11, 2019.
He Born in Washington DC on May 13, 1946
Twoey had a magical childhood in Chevy Chase MD, where he was blessed with very loving and very adventurous parents, two Big Sisters who were always there to Try and guide him and many Great friends from the “hood” with whom he had kept in touch with for all these years.
A graduated from The Sidwell Friends School in DC, where he sat across from Trisha Nixon at the lunch table.
He spent three amazing summers in Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshal Wilderness where he was pack guide with the parks horse concession.
He attended NC State majoring in engineering. In his Junior year, his grades were low and Uncle Sam was looming high. Instead of taking orders from Sam, he enlisted in the Army where he was assigned to the 19th Combat Engineering unit in Vietnam. He came home with a Purple Heart and a missing left foot, the result of a land mine.
An excellent sailor and navigator. He was part of the crew of a racing yacht that beat Ted Turner.
He worked for Ian Walker at Spinney Creek raising oysters, as well as an off shore lobsterman out of Gloucester, MA, a Real Estate Appraiser, a local Building Mover and as a carpenter for many years, eventually becoming a Project Manager.
Going back to school, he earned his CNE and eventually went to work for the owner of the school setting up classes and doing Tech Support for outside accounts.
He was a truly Honest, Funny, Loving, Caring Man.
He leaves behind his first wife and best friend of 45 years, Susan; his two sisters, Molly and Sally; his brother and sister in-law, Steve and Kathy; his nine once innocent but now corrupted forever nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.
Special thanks to Dr. Head, Mr. and Mrs. Dolan and Miss Bon-Bon, who was with him when he passed.
Love and Miss you Bud. Deep Peace.
Melissa Walker and my family says
Susan,our hearts are with you. Twoey enriched so many lives. Hopefully he and Ian are having rum squalls in the great beyond.
Fred and Linda Dolan says
Our hearts are heavy but warm with the wonderful memories and adventures we shared with Twoey and Susan over the years. He was a loyal and caring friend through thick and thin and a great support to our children as they grew up. We will always treasure him in our hearts. He will be missed always.
Molly Wolford says
Thank you for being with Twoey and Susan during his final days. Your friendship has been very special to them thru the years. He is missed. Molly
Doug says
Doug,
If one was ever out and about with Twoey or Twoey and Susan you had best Buckle up,it was going to be a wild and fun buggy ride.
Blessings
Julie Pelley says
Dear Susan,
We are so sorry for your loss. Really going to miss him. He was a wonderful, funny kind caring man.
Bonnie Winona says
Perhaps by intercession of the cosmos, it was my particular honor to be with Twoey as he made his Mahasamadhi, as he left the physical body and merged his delightfully unique corner of consciousness with mother nature. Peace prevailed in that dimly lit hospital room– the same peace which had established itself many hours before he slipped gently away.
I hold close nearly half a century of Twoey memories, most of which, when I bring them to mind, cause me still to laugh out loud. How can you not love someone who embodied the incredible wisdom, and the brilliance, to make everything hilarious. Laughter is sweet medicine, which he shared so freely with everyone. Laughter and a wee dram of rum.
Twoey and Susan…the salt of the earth and of the steadfast sea. He has left Suzie at the helm, but I am sure he will ever be watching over her.
I offer my sincerest condolences, love and sorrow to Mrs. Markle. And to his two sisters Sally and Molly, and their families. And to Kathy and Steven. And to the corrupted nieces and nephews.
Twoey, you made the world a happy place. We are so going to miss you.
Deep peace of the running wave and the shining stars to you, dear friend.
May all the light surround you.
Molly Wolford says
Bonnie – Sally and I appreciate your being with Twoey and Susan throughout his journey and especially at the end. He was a wonderful, kind, loving and generous brother. He is missed. Your many memories of him will keep him with you always. Molly
Tiffeny Pelley says
My deepest condolences to Susan and Twoey’s family. He was an amazingly kindhearted man. I am so blessed to have had him in my life. So many childhood memories are with Twoey and Susan, two people whom I looked up to and respected most in my life. I will be forever grateful for all he’s done for me. Twoey (2-E) will forever be in my heart, may he R.IP.
Gregg and Lisa Wilder says
Susan
You and Twoey were the first neigbors to greet us when we moved to Strafford in 1984, Twoey also worked on building our house. He was a great guy to share stories with and will be sorely missed.
Gregg And Lisa
Marie says
Susan, I was so happy to have known Twoey for a few years. He was a wonderful man.
Paul and Mary Nichols says
Dear Susan,
Mary and I are saddened with news of Twoey’s passing, and we’re offering our heartfelt condolences.
Wonderful memories swirl as we recall conversations with you and Twoey during gatherings at Fred and Linda’s place. In significant ways our lives paralleled yours and Twoey’s, since I too was wounded by a land mine in Viet Nam so long ago. We will hold close, fond memories of the good times with you both, and wish you peace as life’s journey moves onward.
steve smith says
Susan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds like you have many good friends to lean on. I have many fond memories from the bad, old days. Twoey will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Lee Cashman says
Very sorry and saddened to learn of Twoey’s passing. I lived nearby him in Chevy Chase growing up and fairly often would bump into him and his family. I remember his father with the Jaguar XKE and I wonder if he got to drive it. When the Vietnam days came I lost track of him but was aware that he had lost a foot there. I was pleased in reading his obituary to learn that he had led a very full and enjoyable life with his best friend, Susan. That makes me smile. Godspeed, Twoey.
Sara Schoo says
Susan, Molly & Sally. I just heard about Twoey or I would have responded earlier. I did miss his traditional email on my birthday – 2/28 – but figured he was busy and we would make contact soon. I feel very saddened by the news – lifelong friendships cannot be replaced and reconnecting with him, meeting Susan in Harper’s Ferry, sharing memories meant so much. Despite some of the mixed blessings of the Internet, I am grateful that it did bring us back together after decades, and continued to keep us in touch. My thoughts are with you. I will stop into All Saints soon and say a prayer – and imagine him in the choir – and his family singing out the hymns with such beauty and joy.