Mark Blinn never lost to cancer. He beat it in how he lived all the days of his life; how he nurtured old and new relationships; and never a complaint crossed his mind or lips. Mark was well read, articulate, witty, intelligent, handsomely charming, loyal to the end, and a beautiful soul.
Our beloved Mark Patrick Blinn was born to Mike and Sheila Kane Blinn. Born the youngest of siblings Mike, Mollie, Marne and Martha, he had the gift of making everyone feel special. He attended parochial schools, graduating from Butte Central class of 1974 and Carroll College. Mark belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Butte Country Club, and the annual Arizona golf tourneys.
He met Ida Sajor spring of 1984, lovingly adored her every day of his life, and wed Labor Day weekend 1990. He worked for the Department of Revenue and when the State of Montana removed itself from the liquor business in 1995, he purchased Liquor Store#2 and became the proud Uptown Butte owner of Park Street Liquors. He recently sold his store in Fall 2017, and looked forward to spending his remaining months surrounded by his many friends chasing and looking for his golf ball, visiting his favorite baseball fields and spring training, traveling with his lifelong friends to support their collegiate and professional coaching buddies, driving his restored 442, continued European travel adventures while getting lost in museums and its culture, and enjoying his Arizona home to escape Montana winters.
His grandparents, Dr. Pat and Francis “Fritz” (Driscoll) Kane, parents Sheila and Mike Blinn, stepfathers Jack Wall and Bob Torpey, sister-in-law Mary Beth (McIntyre) Blinn, in-laws and special friends, Pete and Cora Sajor, Uncles Dr. Dick, Dr. Bill, JP, and Eddy Kane, Aunt Mary Lou Fitzpatrick, and brother-in-law Dick Shrock preceded Mark in death.
He will be sadly missed by Ida; Mollie and Scott Kirk (Butte), Marne and Knute Oaas (Butte), Mike and Lori (Dillon), Martha and Nick Ranalli (Helena); stepsisters and their families, Carol Boothe (Ralph) and Linda Schrock; and sisters-in-law, Jocelyn McNicholas (Portland), Linda Sajor and Jack Joyce (Butte), and Carol Sajor (Missoula). Mark is uncle to Mike (Erin) Blinn, Megan (Scott) Shively-Blinn, Ryan (Jamie) Ranalli, Randy (Heather) Ranalli, Michaela (Shane) Tomchek, Drs. Kevin (Alexis Billings) Joyce, Dr. Abbey Sajor Joyce, and Matt (Keri) and Jessica McNicholas. Other survivors include Aunt Francie Campeau and cousins -- Kane, Fitzpatrick, Driscoll, Campeau families. Mark had special lifelong friendships with Brian Holland, John Weitzel, Leo Rivers, numerous Immaculate Conception, North Central, Butte Central and Carroll College alumnae, and his pool, football and golf league comrades. Mark always had fondness for uptown Butte, rooted and supported its local businesses and owners, neighbors of “the hill”, and her rich history.
Mark and Ida are grateful and appreciative to the home visits, support, many cards, errands, good grub, special gifts of comfort, and acts of kindness showered upon him during his end of days by family, virtuous friends, and generosity of special care from Carol Sajor, Shaun Maloney, Sean and Cindy O’Dell, Randy Morris, A1 Ambulance , and Scott Edsall.
In remembrance of Mark, sleep in an extra couple of hours, read a good book, watch a baseball game, revisit old and new friends alike, lose a golf ball on your favorite course, recall his quick wit and share it. Mark requests that you keep in touch with Ida and family. He’ll be seeing you in all those old familiar places that your heart and memories embrace. In lieu of flowers, donations to Butte Public Library may be made.
Vigil services will be conducted Thursday at noon in the Immaculate Conception Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. in the Church. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.