Mark John Harding
“A daily thought, a silent tear, a constant wish that you were here.”
Date passed: 29th of September 2021
Funeral date: 15th of October 2021
“A daily thought, a silent tear, a constant wish that you were here.”
Mark sadly passed away on 29th September 2021 aged 59 years.
The beloved husband of Claire, devoted dad of Hannah & Emily and a besotted Grumpy Pa of George.
Mark will be so sadly missed by all his family & friends
His funeral took place on Friday 15th October 2021 at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 3.30pm.
Kind donations in memory of Mark are going to Cancer Research.
For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our Funeral Home on 01270 584447
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Born 27th March 1962 in Nantwich Barony Hospital, a beloved son for John and
Pam Harding. They lived in Minshall New Road just two doors down from his
grandparents who frequently covered for their much-loved grandson and his regular
misdemeanours! He was an inquisitive and mischievous young boy and there are
many hilarious stories to tell.
Mark attended Ludford Street school where he attained the prestigious role of head
boy or as Mark liked to call it “The School of Life” and he loved his time there.
Mixing with his peers from all walks of life, and the valuable lessons he learnt, Mark
felt he acquired the intellectual and practical skills to give him a good start in life and
the tools to become the man his family and friends all know and love.
His chosen career was with Rolls Royce and in 1978, he joined with 120 other
apprentices staying there for the rest of his working life.
In his late teens Mark discovered his love of walking, he was incredibly fit and active
and around the time he started work he and his dad renovated the family home
together, converting it from an old chapel to a well-designed bungalow and Mark
learnt a raft of DIY skills from the best teacher, the man he looked up to – his dad.
SO how did Claire and Mark meet? Well apparently, it was a Friday night 1983 and
Claire was stood by the coat stand in the White Horse. Mark was out with his mates
and although he was on the merry side of drunk, they got chatting and agreed to
meet up for a date. Claire was surprised when he turned up and pleasantly
surprised when he didn’t drive off as she went out to greet him!
He proposed to Claire in the car park of the Dusty Miller where he romantically
produced a ring from the ash tray and they exchanged their lasting vows in 1985.
Their marriage was blessed with the two girls who he totally adored and was
incredibly proud of all they have achieved in their careers and their personal lives.
Together they enjoyed many incredible holidays, travelling to all corners of the world
and his burning ambition was to revisit his favourite place Wanaka, a resort town on
New Zealand’s South Island.
Mark had many fascinating hobbies and interests, one of them being pottery courses
and just recently he went with Hannah, he was extremely proud of his Wonky Pots.
He played basketball, enjoyed Clay Pigeon Shooting, he played guitar and
considered himself as immensely talented, creative and artistic and totally relaxed
when he painted or did the cooking.
His passion for walking stayed with him for many years. He and his dad proudly
walked up Snowden together on a glorious day, then in memory of his dad, Mark
returned with his ashes.
He also walked the Pennine Way, coast to coast and many more routes with his
mates which has provided them all with lots of stories to look back on and treasure.
Mark had an eclectic taste in music from Frank Sinatra to Frank Zappa, he loved life,
enjoyed eating out but disliked shopping and was proud to say he had never been to
the Trafford Centre!
Mark and Claire were also members of Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa and made some
good friends whilst sat in the sauna for hours on end, putting the world to rights.
May he rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss.
- Approved by oconnellI’ll always remember Mark as a smart, funny, caring man.
Fond memories of his stories and advise will stay with me.
So sorry, taken far too early. A true gentleman.
- Approved by oconnellMark, as apprentices we all strived to make a difference to our own development and the Company. If anyone made a big difference it was you Sir. With honesty, respect, friendship and a will to make a difference you did it all. You certainly made a positive difference to the development of many aspiring colleagues within the Company. We made the right choice to retire early. I’m sure you enjoyed the time you had. Bless you mate. RIP x
- Approved by oconnellSo sorry and sad. I had the privilege of working with Mark for many years, he was always there for help and advice.
- Approved by oconnellSo sorry for your loss. Mark was a true gentleman and always went out of his way to support others. Taken far too early.
- Approved by oconnellSo sorry for your loss I will always remember how excited he was to retire early and have some quality time with his wife and daughters, never forget the detailed explanation of the outside oven to be installed in the garden… so sad that all your dream were curtailed short
- Approved by oconnellI’m so sorry, Mark, that you didn’t get to enjoy your retirement for longer. The world was your oyster, the travel you talked about and the first grandchild you were so proud of were a reality that’s ended too soon. You were a kind-hearted, fun, supportive colleague and friend. You inspired me in work and in life. Bentley was a slightly sadder place when you left; now the world is. You’ll be missed.
- Approved by oconnellVale, Mark. Our thoughts are with your lovely family at such a sad time.
- Approved by oconnellOur love.
Such a gentleman sincere condolences to Claire and family. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Love David and family.
- Approved by oconnellMark was a such a lovely guy and always had time for everyone. I really enjoyed working with him and he became a good friend. He will be very sadly missed by all his family and friends. It is so very sad that he didnt have a long retirement to spend with his family. RIP Mark. Gone far too soon. Caron x
- Approved by oconnellDevastated!! One of the finest gentleman i have Had the pleasure of working with and for, i never forget back in 1988 asking him to look at my stereo out of my first car not only was he happy to help me but showed me how he did it, this trait has helped many develop and mature in many ways. One a a kind Proffesional, honest, loyal a leader. Mark will be deeply missed by many our deepest sympathy to clair the girls family and friends ????????xxx
- Approved by oconnellDear Claire, Hannah & Emily
- Approved by oconnellI would like to offer my deepest sympathy at your loss, I had the privilege of working with Mark for many years and had the utmost respect for his capabilities and professionalism, The world is a smaller place without someone i would describe as a true Gentleman
Sorry to hear about Mark’s passing, he was a member of my Team for a while at RRBMC – now Bentley
- Approved by oconnellWe will always remember our dear friend Mark. Fond memories of great days in, & great days out. Thinking of Claire, and all the family at this very sad time
- Approved by oconnellSo sorry to hear about the passing of Mark. A family friend back in the arms of his dad John.
- Approved by oconnellMark always had a positive energy around him and was warm and approachable at work – a great guy. My sincerest condolences, he’ll be missed by everyone.
- Approved by oconnellSo sorry for your loss, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time, Mark was a true gentleman and will be missed.
- Approved by oconnellMy sincere condolences to you all for your loss. Mark was indeed one of the good guys to work with, patient, understanding and a great ally when needed.
- Approved by oconnellAbove all, he always took time to say hello and chat despite his busy schedule, and for this I remember him most.
Mark was a true gentleman and will be missed by all. Our thoughts are with you xx
- Approved by oconnellSo sad to hear of Marks passing, always happy to have chat when passing, just a really good guy. My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.
- Approved by oconnellSo sad to hear that Mark has passed, he was simply a great guy and someone I could always go to for advice. My thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family
- Approved by oconnellWe would like to send our deepest condolences on the passing of Mark.
- Approved by oconnellMark was a much loved member of the Health Club and we are all saddened by his passing.
All our thoughts and prayers are with Claire and the family.
All our thoughts are with the family and close friends.
- Approved by oconnellMark was a really great guy to work with and to have a bit of office banter with 🙂
We know he will be missed by so many people.
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Mark. He was a great guy to work with. Always helpful, cheerful and ready to offer wise council . He has been taken far too young. Sincere condolences to his family.
- Approved by oconnellI’m very sorry for your loss. Mark was always someone who I could go to for help or support. It was always smiling and acknowledged everyone he passed on his way to meetings. He will be missed by many.
- Approved by oconnellTo Claire and family. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you all. Such a lovely family and will be sadly missed.
- Approved by oconnellLove from Janet and family xx
To Claire, Hannah and Emily, our deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of Mark.
- Approved by oconnellMark was a true gentleman, always helpful and interested and will be greatly missed by many. So sorry for a tragic loss.
- Approved by oconnellI am so sorry for your loss. Mark was one of the good guys. I worked with Mark throughout my Bentley career and he was always extremely helpful and supportive to me in whatever capacity.
- Approved by oconnellLatterly I was privileged to share a beer and one or two stories with Mark and Claire.
Mark was definetly a good one who had a great and varied career at Bentley. I remember him saying that he used to visit his father’s grave every year and saw that the lines of graves got longer and longer. That was his motivation for retiring early, only to go so young. Mark’s father was a foreman in the railway works and Mark passed on one of his Dad’s books to me – that will have special significance now.
So sad that Mark, has not been abale to enjoy that long retirement, but I am sure he made the best of what he had. Condolences to Claire, Hannah and Emily – you and we will always remember him.
- Approved by oconnellI am very sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Mark on the Continental range of cars. He was always happy and cheery, nothing was too much trouble. Very sorry to see him go so soon. Bless you. Ed Ludford
- Approved by oconnellThank you all for the lovely messages. It was also lovely to see so many people on Friday. He will be greatly missed. Claire, Hannah and Emily x
- Approved by oconnell