Longtime SE Fisherman Mark Bigelow, 68, Dies;
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- Created on Tuesday, 18 February 2025 14:58
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Calvin Mark Bigelow
Calvin Mark Bigelow, a longtime commercial fisherman, died of cancer 10 p.m. Feb. 9 at Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center. He was 68.
He was born in Ontario, Canada, on July 8, 1956, the son of Joyce and Calvin Nelson Bigelow. His father was a miner, and the family moved often – Mark attended about 17 different schools, including ones in Montana, Idaho and Utah.
He served in the U.S. Marines, and over the years worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and a welder.
He first came to Southeast Alaska in 1983, and the ocean was his home.
He came to Sitka in 2005 and bought a power troller, the F/V Safari. In 2011 Susan Sene answered his ad on Craig’s List for a crew member, and for going on 14 years, the two fished together.
“We fished during the summer and sometimes in winter,” Susan said. “He loved the ocean, and land didn’t set very high on his list.”
He was always happy, and saw the good in all, she said.
He enjoyed relaxing on the boat with his “kid kitties” Zelda, Little Girl and Shortshe.
Mark was preceded in death by his father, Calvin Nelson Bigelow, and a brother, Scott Bigelow.
He is survived by his partner, Susan Sene; his mother, Joyce Bigelow of Vancouver, Oregon; his daughter, Cami Smith (Shane) of Helena, Montana; son Jesse Bigelow (Staphany) of Price, Utah; grandchildren Tyler (Kassidy) Bigelow and great-grandchild Peyton Marie Bigelow; and Zachary Bigelow, Kyle Engdahl, Johnathan Bieber and Mykayla Smith.
Also surviving are brothers Dennie (Linda) Bigelow of Seattle, Ian (Timi) Bigelow of Spring, Texas, and Ian McHutchison of Kirkland, Washington; and sisters Chris (Ron) Knutson of Pacifica, California, and Jocelynn Park-Gillespie, of Portland, Oregon.
No services will by held, but in the spring the family plans to gather and set Mark adrift on the waters where he can continue to live.
Memorials may be addressed to Prewitt Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Prewitt’s toward the cost of cremation.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2005
The Department of Fish and Game called a co-op opening today to catch the 1,000 tons remaining in the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery. This year’s quota is 11,192 tons, with 51 permit holders taking part.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1975
Gov. Jay Hammond has named two Sitkans to state boards, Rep. Dick Eliason told the Sentinel from Juneau. August Andersen was appointed to the Alaska Board of Education, and Clint Buckmaster was named to the Alaska Board of Fish.
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