Obituary of Mark Winston Koenig

It is with deep sadness that family members and friends announce the death of Mark Koenig, age 73, on Sunday, September 4th. He died instantly of cardiac arrest while biking the coastal headlands of Chebucto Bay near Guysborough. His wife, Ruth, was with him at the time of his death. Mark was born in New York City and lived in the Bronx and Roslyn Hts., Long Island, in his early years. He attended the U. of Pittsburgh and graduated with a B.A. in political science in 1965. He later attended a law school in Washington DC but left after a year to join the Peace Corps, spending 2 years in Nepal. There he became interested in Buddhism, an interest which he followed after returning to the U.S. and moving to San Francisco. In San Francisco, he worked as a social worker for the city, eventually returning to graduate school at SF State for his MSW degree. He met and married Ruth Burton, another social worker, in San Francisco and they both immigrated to Nova Scotia in 1988 with their two children. In Halifax, Mark worked for many years for Addictions Services, retiring in 2005 and then assuming a position as clinical therapist for an Employee Assistance program. He also had a small private practice. Mark was an avid tennis player and yoga practitioner and loved the outdoors. Depending on the season, he and his wife would often spend their free time together hiking or cross-country skiing, going as far as Gaspe and the Austrian alps. His affiliations included the Shambhala community, and NS Association of Social Workers, and a Waeg membership. Mark is survived by his wife, Ruth Burton; daughter, Rachael Stockwell and son, Nico Koenig; and grand-daughters Sadie and Savannah Stockwell. He was predeceased by his brother, Leonard Koenig of Kansas City. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home & Chapels, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr (902-679-2822). Cremation has already taken place. The Memorial service, followed by a reception, will be 4 P.M. Monday, Sept. 12th at the Shambhala Centre, 1084 Tower Rd., Halifax. Family Flowers only.