Mark Renfrew

Mark Allan Renfrew was born in Ann Arbor, MI on June 11, 1950 and died March 6, 2023. He had had type 1 diabetes for almost 69 years. This added substantial challenges to his life, so he developed into a strong person who learned to survive daily. Mark was the bravest guy we know. He started hockey at the age of 5 in Houghton MI. Our family came back to Ann Arbor in 1957. Mark played hockey throughout his life and never let his diabetes keep him from playing hockey, baseball, and football in his youth. In high school Mark's team won the State IHSHL Championships in 1966 and 1967. Mark graduated from Ann Arbor High in 1968. He played hockey at the University of Michigan from 1969-1972. Mark got his BS in Physical Education from the University of Michigan in 1973. He was the manager at Yost Ice Arena, Cliff Keen Arena, and Crisler Arena. Some of Mark's favorite activities, besides hockey were: traveling with his buddies on a bus to see away Michigan football games; traveling with friends to Altoona, PA to get his APBA baseball cards and later having games and tournaments; tailgating at Dad's with Root Boy; camping with the family; visiting friends up north; watching hockey and college football on his 75" TV; and listening to his vast music collection. Mark's dogs were the loves of his life. Zamboni, Wooly Bully, and Root Boy were all Rottweilers and gave him tremendous joy in his life. You may have seen Mark walking them down 3rd Street, Liberty, Ashley and back home with a stop at the Fleetwood Diner for a sausage treat, for Root Boy, from the cook or waitress. Mark was preceded in death by his parents Allan and Marguerite (Nanninga) Renfrew, and relatives Auntie Helen, Auntie Ruth, Auntie Dorothy, Auntie Helen, Auntie Mary, Uncle Vic, Uncle Chuck, Uncle Keith, Uncle Kenneth, cousins: Tim, Doug and Donnie. Mark's best friend John (Cow Boy). He is survived by his sisters Judy (Kim) and Debbie, nephews and nieces, Robbie (Molly), Bryan (Amy), Nikole (Nate), Greg (Rachael), Christine (Eric), Uncle George, cousins: Susan, Vicki, Karen, Betty, Chris, Melody, David, Cliff, Susanne, and many great nieces and nephews. We can not thank Mark's friends enough for the joy they brought him in his life. We would like to thank the staff at Trillium Woods Faith Hospice for taking such good care of Mark in his last days. Donations may be made to Humane Society of Huron Valley in memory of Mark Renfrew hshv.org/give/donate/. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mark Renfrew, please visit our flower store.