Mark, the Julius Erving of his time, passed away on April 3, 2025, at the age of 66. Mark was born on the South Side of Chicago, IL and he was raised and educated in Boston MA. He attended English High, Brighton High, and the Eastern Military School, (Huntington Long Island, NY). He also attended Roxbury Community College, Northern
Oklahoma College, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts. His career path was sociology.

He worked with mental health professionals to support and care for individuals with mental health conditions or illnesses. As an on-call counselor in shelters for homeless adults, he was engaged in all aspects of ensuring a safe environment. He worked at the Brandon School and Residential Treatment Program in Natick, MA for several years as a counselor, caring for children and providing therapeutic recreational activities. He even worked as a part-time teacher/basketball coach. Mark’s mentor, Christopher Moore, one of the founders of Brighter Day, inspired Mark to form his own corporation
Adventures Abound, Inc., to provide opportunities for at-risk youth in the metropolitan Boston area.

Mark was a free spirit, a wanderer, and someone who sought to squeeze every drop of adventure out of life. He traveled, explored, and took risks. He lived on his terms, and in doing so, he taught us the value of embracing the present moment. On April 3rd, we
lost a great man who loved so many, and who loved so strongly, that he lost focus on himself trying to be a hero for others.

He was one of the greatest ballers in town, just ask around. Did you get a chance to shoot hoop with Mark? During his first year at English High, he shared the outstanding Jr. Varsity with Kenneth Bradford, and they won the State Championship against Don Bosco. He also played in the Titans League with coach Alan Brodsky. Mark, Robbie Lewis, and Dwan Chandler were the “Mighty Titans” of that league. Being a varsity member at Brighton High was another big win. He also played in the Old Timer Basketball League with the late Freddie McNeil of Hyde Park. Volunteering as a basketball coach at the Hennigan School and the Bromley Heath Housing Development fueled his desire to become a coach.

Mark’s mentor also introduced him to the adventures of skiing. Where were the Black skiers? Waterville Valley, NH, Mount Snow, VT and Nashoba Valley Ski Area, in MA, is where you might find Mark Hotdogging (aka freestyle skiing). He learned to hotdog from Canadian freestyle skier and hotdog pioneer, Wayne Wong.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother Joyce B. Smith (Ward) of Cambridge, MA, father Nathaniel Ward of Whitfield, AL, and his brother Walter “Wally Gator” Covington, of Roxbury, MA. Mark is survived by his daughter, Charlene Smith (Andre) of Dorchester, grandchildren, Tatiana, Carl Jr., and Leilani, great-grandson, Nio, sister Cheryl Ward (Jesse) of Dorchester, brother Byron Ward of Dorchester and David Ward (Melissa) of Dorchester, nieces, Yolanda Roberson of Dorchester and Jasmine Strothers of Georgia, nephew Arthur Ward of Dorchester, brother and sister in Christ, Robbie Lewis of Boston and
Linda Lewis of Jamaica Plain, and a host of family and special friends.

Visitation will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS on Monday, April 28th from 10-11AM. Funeral Service to begin at 11AM. Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery. Relatives and friends invited.