Mark was born on 4th November 1954 to Jean and Cliff Cannock. Along with his brother Richard, the family lived in Easton above their green grocer’s shop. He went to school at St. Gabriels Primary before going to St. Mary Redcliffe Secondary School in 1966. After finishing school, he went on to gain an apprenticeship as an Electrician with Thrissel Engineering, studying at Marksbury Road College.
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Sports was one of Mark's great passions from an early age. He enjoyed playing and watching football. Influenced by the area where he grew up, he supported Bristol Rovers which is how he got his nickname 'Alfie' after his school boy hero, Rovers player Alfie Biggs. In fact, a lot of his sporting friends only knew him by this name. He played rugby at Redcliffe school and after his time there he played for Old Reds, a club with strong links to the school and a team which was predominately made up of school friends. He also played a few seasons at Dings Crusaders. For several years he played both rugby and football, the latter for Young Thrusters.
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At the age of 18, Mark met Jane at the Top Rank nightclub. Three years later they married and moved to Downend. Together they went onto have two children, Sam & Charlotte and in 2008 very proudly welcomed a granddaughter, Lorna.
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A true provider for his family, work was an important aspect of Mark's life. After his time at Thrissel's he worked at St. Annes Boardmills, Kraft Foods, then Proven Systems where he specialised in working on food processing machinery. From there he went onto set up his own company, MacTech (UK) Ltd in 1996. Sadly, Mark passed away on 23rd April 2016, whilst at work. True to form, he finished the job first so as not to let anyone down.
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Mark will always be loved and greatly missed as a Husband, Father, Grandad, Father in Law, Brother, Uncle and friend.
Mark was born on 4th November 1954 to Jean and Cliff Cannock. Along with his brother Richard, the family lived in Easton above their green grocer’s shop. He went to school at St. Gabriels Primary before going to St. Mary Redcliffe Secondary School in 1966. After finishing school, he went on to gain an apprenticeship as an Electrician with Thrissel Engineering, studying at Marksbury Road College.
<br />
Sports was one of Mark's great passions from an early age. He enjoyed playing and watching football. Influenced by the area where he grew up, he supported Bristol Rovers which is how he got his nickname 'Alfie' after his school boy hero, Rovers player Alfie Biggs. In fact, a lot of his sporting friends only knew him by this name. He played rugby at Redcliffe school and after his time there he played for Old Reds, a club with strong links to the school and a team which was predominately made up of school friends. He also played a few seasons at Dings Crusaders. For several years he played both rugby and football, the latter for Young Thrusters.
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At the age of 18, Mark met Jane at the Top Rank nightclub. Three years later they married and moved to Downend. Together they went onto have two children, Sam & Charlotte and in 2008 very proudly welcomed a granddaughter, Lorna.
<br />
A true provider for his family, work was an important aspect of Mark's life. After his time at Thrissel's he worked at St. Annes Boardmills, Kraft Foods, then Proven Systems where he specialised in working on food processing machinery. From there he went onto set up his own company, MacTech (UK) Ltd in 1996. Sadly, Mark passed away on 23rd April 2016, whilst at work. True to form, he finished the job first so as not to let anyone down.
<br />
Mark will always be loved and greatly missed as a Husband, Father, Grandad, Father in Law, Brother, Uncle and friend.
Mark was born on 4th November 1954 to Jean and Cliff Cannock. Along with his brother Richard, the family lived in Easton above their green grocer’s shop. He went to school at St. Gabriels Primary before going to St. Mary Redcliffe Secondary School in 1966. After finishing school, he went on to gain an apprenticeship as an Electrician with Thrissel Engineering, studying at Marksbury Road College.
<br />
Sports was one of Mark's great passions from an early age. He enjoyed playing and watching football. Influenced by the area where he grew up, he supported Bristol Rovers which is how he got his nickname 'Alfie' after his school boy hero, Rovers player Alfie Biggs. In fact, a lot of his sporting friends only knew him by this name. He played rugby at Redcliffe school and after his time there he played for Old Reds, a club with strong links to the school and a team which was predominately made up of school friends. He also played a few seasons at Dings Crusaders. For several years he played both rugby and football, the latter for Young Thrusters.
<br />
At the age of 18, Mark met Jane at the Top Rank nightclub. Three years later they married and moved to Downend. Together they went onto have two children, Sam & Charlotte and in 2008 very proudly welcomed a granddaughter, Lorna.
<br />
A true provider for his family, work was an important aspect of Mark's life. After his time at Thrissel's he worked at St. Annes Boardmills, Kraft Foods, then Proven Systems where he specialised in working on food processing machinery. From there he went onto set up his own company, MacTech (UK) Ltd in 1996. Sadly, Mark passed away on 23rd April 2016, whilst at work. True to form, he finished the job first so as not to let anyone down.
<br />
Mark will always be loved and greatly missed as a Husband, Father, Grandad, Father in Law, Brother, Uncle and friend.
Mark was born on 4th November 1954 to Jean and Cliff Cannock. Along with his brother Richard, the family lived in Easton above their green grocer’s shop. He went to school at St. Gabriels Primary before going to St. Mary Redcliffe Secondary School in 1966. After finishing school, he went on to gain an apprenticeship as an Electrician with Thrissel Engineering, studying at Marksbury Road College.
<br />
Sports was one of Mark's great passions from an early age. He enjoyed playing and watching football. Influenced by the area where he grew up, he supported Bristol Rovers which is how he got his nickname 'Alfie' after his school boy hero, Rovers player Alfie Biggs. In fact, a lot of his sporting friends only knew him by this name. He played rugby at Redcliffe school and after his time there he played for Old Reds, a club with strong links to the school and a team which was predominately made up of school friends. He also played a few seasons at Dings Crusaders. For several years he played both rugby and football, the latter for Young Thrusters.
<br />
At the age of 18, Mark met Jane at the Top Rank nightclub. Three years later they married and moved to Downend. Together they went onto have two children, Sam & Charlotte and in 2008 very proudly welcomed a granddaughter, Lorna.
<br />
A true provider for his family, work was an important aspect of Mark's life. After his time at Thrissel's he worked at St. Annes Boardmills, Kraft Foods, then Proven Systems where he specialised in working on food processing machinery. From there he went onto set up his own company, MacTech (UK) Ltd in 1996. Sadly, Mark passed away on 23rd April 2016, whilst at work. True to form, he finished the job first so as not to let anyone down.
<br />
Mark will always be loved and greatly missed as a Husband, Father, Grandad, Father in Law, Brother, Uncle and friend.
Tragically taken too soon. Sincere condolences to Jane and his family. Many happy memories playing on the rugby and football field with Alfie, a unique character that will be sorely missed
My condolences to all the family. Memories always be there for Alfie in particular against St Mary's some 40ish years ago, 1 minute to go, 5 metre scrum, Reds ball under Mary's posts. Alfie at 8 fed the ball perfectly to Tommy Ollie at scrum half, who chose in his wisdom not to pass to me at 10 to distribute but concluded a successful drop goal from base of scrum 5 metres out. It's not the hilarious drop goal that brings back the memory but Alfie's face and chosen language directed at Tommy, not in congratulations but in frustration. We all knew we needed a Try (then 4 points) to win. Tommy could not seemingly add up, Reds lost by 1 point. You'll always be remembered Alfie not just because of Tommy but your contribution to life, others around you and a friend to many.
Unable to attend the funeral, but send my condolences to all his family: 'My thoughts are with you'!
Alfie was one of my favourite 'Lads' - a True Friend and Sportsman in every sense of the words!
Alfie will always be remembered as an unassuming and vital player in Old Reds' 15s and 7s teams. He was a totally committed team player of great skill, talent and modesty. Great days with Alfie to be remembered by all!