Mark William Riddell
January 15, 1968 ~ February 12, 2023
RIDDELL, Mark William, 55, passed away on February 12, 2023 in Fairfax, Virginia. Mark is survived by his mother, Bernadine, his daughters, Sammi and Rachel, and many more loving relatives.
Mark was born in Richmond, Virginia, on January 15, 1968. He grew up in Vienna, Virginia, with his mother, Bernadine, and his father, Gordon Riddell (deceased). Mark graduated from Oakton High School in 1986, and went on to attend George Mason University where he earned his BA in English Writing. He graduated in May of 1991. At George Mason, Mark was a key member of the WGMU Radio Station on-air staff, as well as a founding member of the Green Machine Pep Band.
Mark loved his career in public relations, seeking out exciting and worthwhile opportunities in the entertainment industry. He enjoyed working with Feld Entertainment on Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, which contributed to his love of the circus, and gave him the chance to make many life-long friends. As an enduring Elvis Presley fan, Mark was overjoyed by the opportunity to work for Elvis Presley Enterprises at the Graceland estate. But ever the lover of roller coasters, Mark ultimately returned to Cedar Fair Entertainment Company as the Director of Communications at Kings Dominion. This was the park that he had visited so many times in his youth, and where he took his daughters as soon as they could follow in his footsteps as coaster-fanatics.
In his free time, Mark was an avid collector of vinyl records, building an impressive collection over the years. He enjoyed exploring record shops wherever he went; especially if it was accompanied by a Diet Dr. Pepper. Mark also loved playing pinball, whether it was the classic Batman ‘66 machine or the Willy Wonka™ Collector’s Edition that became a family favorite on a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Mark was an accomplished keyboard player, playing in several rock n roll bands over the years as well as being a pianist/organist with the St. Mark 11am choir since he was 14. He loved listening to and making promos for The Mike O’Meara Show. His creativity was able to run wild with the promise of bringing comedy to others and he considered it a privilege to spread laughter to all.
Mark lived to create joy and laughter in everything. He was a source of light to all who knew him and to those who crossed his path. He had many unbelievable stories that will continue to be told by everyone who loved him. We wish there could have been more.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Mark’s Church in Vienna, Virginia on February 27th, 2023 with a Catholic Mass at 11:00am. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Mark Riddell.
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I knew Mark thru the Mike Omeara show known as Twitch on the show he was a force to reckon with the promos he made for the show..We all Laffed out loud to them
I had the honor of being & contributing to promos with him..
He would either text me or direct message me an idea for a promo & I was always game for it!!
I never met him person it was to happen in April at the TMOS LIVE SHOW!!
I wish only warmth & love to his family..
& Twitch you will never be forgotten from all the P1s of the show..
God Bless You
Rest in Peace
Your Paisan
Paulie
I knew Mark at Feld Entertainment. My first job out of college, I always enjoyed seeing his friendly face in meetings and hearing about his love of music and, of course, his girls. Even though I didn’t work closely with him on circus, he always had a way of making me feel like I was an old colleague or college buddy…something that a 20-something with imposter syndrome appreciated immensely. He was a light and the world was a better place with him around. All my love to his family. – Sam Emelock (Cepican )
Bernadine, Rachael, and Sammie, My family didn’t have the pleasure of knowing you but we sure knew Mark. We knew him from St. Mark and all over Vienna
Mark played the organ at three of our daughters weddings. He became a great friend after that. After he got married and you girls were born I never saw him so happy. You were all that he spoke about. He always had pictures in his wallet.
You were the three people in his life that he absolutely adored. You three were so blessed to have him in you life. I hope you know that no one on this earth could have loved you more. He is part of all of you forever.
Kathleen Becker
Mark always had a smile and a kind word. He was a great guy. So sorry to hear of his passing and so glad I got to know him for just a bit.
Lee Nelson
Grace Lutheran Church of Apple Valley Minnesota
Mark had the best sense of humor and always made me laugh. He was the most wonderful pianist and organist for our St Mark choir. It seemed he could play anything. I will miss him, but now he can play music in Heaven, and what could be better than that!
Mark was a clown at heart and everyone at Clown College loved him. We tried talking him into attending on numerous occasions. He was and always will be an honorary member of Clown Alley.
Overture, curtain, lights.
This is it, we’ll hit the heights.
And oh what heights we’ll hit,
On with the show this is it.
Over 30 years ago. I served as advisor for WGMU-AM radio when Mark was a student at George Mason University and a great addition to the radio station. Each year we took a staff photo and as you can see, Mark (and his buddy Chris) didn’t always take these seriously but he was a joy to work with. He will be missed by all.
He was just such a nice person, and always went out of his way to make others feel included. Here is a photo of him at Jimmy’s where we met him for the first time in 2017.
Mark and I were good friends at Marshall Rd Elementary School in Vienna, VA. He was the kind of kid I would want my boy to pal around with. He was smart, kind, good at sports and a talented musician; looks like he never changed. Rest in Peace ol’ buddy. My deepest condolences to his family; I’m truly sorry for your loss. – Michael Seaman
I was a member of St. Mark’s community for many years, as were my parents, Joe and Kathryn Harrington. My memories or Mark go back to his high school years and although I end up leaving the area, it was always wonderful to return to St. Mark’s and enjoy the choir, of which I was a member for a short time. My parents, also choir members, enjoyed watching Mark grow into the lovely man he became. My deepest sympathies and prayers for his daughters, mother, and no doubt many beloved family members and friends. May he rest in peace.
Q: What will you never forget about Mark?
A: Mark and I were friends and active in the St. Mark youth group and later with Life Teen. He had a zeal for life, quick wit, infectious laugh and contagious faith. I will never forget one of our youth group retreats where we became the Wodka Brothers (proper pronunciation) and put together a rousing recibvention of a classic Beach Boys’ song (“Surfing USSR”). I’d like to think that was the true reason the Evil Empire fell apart a few years later but probably not. Mark was also instrumental in launching the music career of our fellow Oakton grad, the late Bryan Galentine, a.k.a. Brian Wayne in Nashville. He is one of the most musically, talented individuals I’ve ever met. I will miss him, but I’m confident that Heaven’s angelic choir is that much more stronger (and Uber fun) now that he’s joined.
Mark was one of those rare people that was able to enter a room and make everyone feel welcome and important. He was talented beyond measure, funny, smart, creative and passionate about his friends and family.
I was fortunate enough to meet his daughters, Sammi and Rachel, and see them around their dad. He adored them and were their biggest fan. He would talk about them endlessly and tell many stories about their adventures and inside jokes.
I will forever be changed for the better for having loved and been loved by Mark. I hope that he now knows how precious he was to all that he left behind.
My deepest love and condolences to his mother, Bernadine and his amazing daughters, Rachel and Sammi.
I met Mark at GMU in the pep band. I had the great privilege of being asked to “give him a beat” during home games as one of the drummers. Our most fun experience had to be our cross country trip to Arizona when we made the NCAA tournament. Being in Mark’s section of the bus made the trip hilarious. The picture shows Mark right in the center to the gates of his beloved Graceland. It was 3am, so obviously we couldn’t go in, but the bus driver agreed to stop for us so we could at least document that we were there. It was a special time, before we all had to get to the business of being adults. I’ll miss you, my friend. RIP
Lisa Counts Brager
My son, Dan, and I are heartbroken to hear of your passing. We enjoyed spending time with you in the beginning of December making fruitcake with Shabay, Robb and Pony. Lots of laughs and fun…Christmas music and cheer. You made us jolly elves in the TMOS workshop aka kitchen.
Thank you for bringing light and joy, laughter and fun. You will be missed! Now get going on making promos for the big guy!
Found these great pictures in Buddy & Teresa Dobson’s old photo shoe boxes!
Nanterry Circle was a great place to grow up!
Mark and I started our careers around the same time at Feld Entertainment. We became friends very quickly and had many experiences and incredible stories that have been shared hundreds of times. Overtime, Mark and I developed a handful of inside jokes that strengthened our friendship. Sometimes we’d go for years without seeing each other but when we did, without missing a beat, the same old jokes would continue and we would laugh and laugh. Overtime, I realized that Mark had so many similar relationships with others who he shared other unique inside jokes. He remembered what made each individual laugh and this became an endearing trait that so many people were blessed to experience. He made so many people feel like they were his best friend. I’m so sorry he’s gone from this life but hope to meet him again in the next. Love you Tiny E.
I had the pleasure of spending several days with Mark while he was at California’s Great America, helping to onboard him in his new communications role there. He was such a fun-loving, kind and funny guy. It was easy to laugh with him and his personality seemed a perfect fit for the amusement park industry. I consider myself fortunate to have had that time with him, and I am deeply sorry for your loss. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends and hope that loving memories bring you peace and comfort in this difficult time.
I had shared in ministry with Mark at St. Mark and never knew he worked for Ringling Bros until I became a clown and was thrilled to see a familiar face. Mark always looked out for me during my time in the circus and we enjoyed ministry again after I left to head back to the parish. Mark had a true gift for the keyboard and could play anything you asked.. from memory or just by ear. A man of smiles, Mark brought joy into every situation. A truly wonderful man who will be missed. May he now be sharing in the glory of Heaven.
On behalf on so many listeners, thanks for helping to make TMOS such a funny and entertaining show. Your humor will last forever in our hearts.
Orkney Springs, Virginia, August 1985
Although I only knew Mark for the last couple of years, he was like a silly big brother that I never had. Volunteering his time helping to make fruitcakes during the holiday season fundraiser for The Mike O’Meara show Podcast was just joyous, fun and full of laughter in the kitchen. His voice and smile will live on in all of the promos. Miss you, buddy, may the positive memories bring joy to friends and family as he touched so many lives with warmth and a smile.
I use to nanny his girls . I will miss him. I’m so sorry to hear this. Love Anna Caldwell
Mark and I were friends for nearly 30 years. Over the years we shared a lot of laughs and tears and worked together on several public relations “adventures” for Ringling Bros. and Kings Dominion. Fond memories of a dear friend and an all around good guy.