OBITUARY: Mark Clabaugh
Mark Clabaugh, 77, of Placida, Florida passed away October 1, 2021 after a long hard battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Mark and his wife of 41 years, Caroline, moved to Placida in 2010 from Powell, Ohio.
Mark was born to Herb and Ruth Longworth Clabaugh on September 30, 1944 in Shelby, Ohio. Mark entered the United States Air Force in September of 1962 and served as an aircraft electrician in South Korea until 1967, before returning to Shelby, Ohio where he joined Shelby Sales Book Company in sales. The company changed hands several times as Mark worked his way up to manager of dealer Sales. In 1982 Mark became vice president of sales and marketing at Foster Business Forms in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1997 Foster Business Forms was purchased by Print South Corporation, where he retained his position of vice president of sales and marketing (he was responsible for sales and marketing in the U.S and Puerto Rico). He retired in 2009, and he and Caroline moved to Placida in September of 2010.
Community had always been important to Mark and Caroline, and this did not change with the move to Florida. Mark was a volunteer with the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda from 2007 to 2015, managing ground support operations. He was affectionately known as “Cartman” by other volunteers.
Mark was also a marine patrol volunteer with Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, was president of the board of directors for Rotonda Sands HOA from April 2012 to May 2021 and was active in the North Port, Englewood and Charlotte County Chambers.
Those of you in Boca Grande may know his face as he handed out 4- Digit Phone Books for three years for the Boca Beacon. Mark loved talking to people from all walks of life. His hobbies were boating, golfing and woodworking. He made several pieces of fine furniture for special friends. Mark was also a storyteller and known for his many jokes.
Mark is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruth and Herb Clabaugh; and sister Linda Utz Cooper. He is survived by his wife, Caroline; three daughters, Teresa Clabaugh, Nichole Clabaugh, Christine Clabaugh of Ohio; sister, Diane Thurmond, Mansfield, Ohio; brothers, Les Clabaugh (Lisa) of Mansfield, Ohio and Ted Clabaugh (Nancy) of Shelby, Ohio. He loved his many wonderful nieces and nephews, as well as his grand-nieces and nephews, and special cousin Chris Clabaugh (Kristie) of Port Clinton, Ohio.
Thank you to the employees of Home Depot and Bealls in Englewood, Florida. Mark spent a lot of time walking in these stores to keep his lungs in working order the last five years of his life. He knew many of these employees by name and they knew his name as well. He might have even told you as a customer where to find something in the stores. Home Depot presented him with his own apron as an Honorary Associate.
Services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Lemon Bay Funeral Home in Englewood at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery with full military honors at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers you can make donations to Island Fellowship Church on Palm Island. fellowshipchurch.com
LemonBayFH.com.
