Mark S. 'Blackie' Blackwood

Watertown - Mark S. Blackwood, lovingly known to all as 'Blackie', had an uncanny ability to light up a room with his contagious sense of humor and wit…and often with a sarcasm that was his virtual hug. He laughed hard, celebrated life and was lucky and rich in life by the value he found in his family and friends and the richness of personality he showed them every day.

Mark died unexpectedly at his home in Watertown on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. He was 56.

Born on November 1, 1961 in Newton he was a son of Antoinette (Leone) Blackwood and the late Clifton Blackwood. A lifelong Watertown resident he was a graduate of Watertown High School with the class of 1979 and later earned his Bachelor's degree from Salem State College in 1984. He married Waltham native Carol A. Poirier on November 9, 1985 in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church.

Columbus Day weekend in 2004 forever changed Blackie's world and that of his family. While returning home from his annual and much anticipated weekend at the Purdue / Penn State football game he was involved in a serious auto accident that would bring him disability and further related sickness throughout his life. It was during these years that Blackie witnessed and experienced the good and generous nature of so many people in his life. Projects at home and beyond, both major and minor, were completed and gifted. He was the type of guy who gave without remembering but received without forgetting. A kidney transplant recipient he battled kidney disease and the maladies of diabetes as well. Throughout it all his motto was 'Life dealt me this hand…and I'm bluffing my way through it.' Blackie now knows peace and has been released from the boundaries of illnesses.

Prior to his injury in 2004 he had worked as an accountant for Nuance Communications in Burlington.

An avid golfer he would seldom miss his Saturday morning 6 a.m. tee time with his buddies at Wayland Country Club and other area golf courses. He loved music from many different genres and was always encouraging anyone nearby to accompany him to a movie.

In addition to his wife of 33 years, Carol he leaves their children, Adam L. Blackwood (Krista) of Allston, Jonathan T. Blackwood and Nicole M. Blackwood, all of Watertown; his mother, Antoinette Blackwood of Watertown; his siblings, Clifton 'Cliff' Blackwood (Liz) of Newtown, Pennsylvania and Cheryl Jewers (David) of Watertown; his mother-in-law Mary Jean (Cotton) Poirier-Foster of Waltham; his in-laws, Linda Hanley (Robert), Susan Poirier, James Poirier (Kate), Denise Poirier, all of Waltham Eileen Trefonides (Byron) and Alan Poirier (Julie) all of Londonderry, New Hampshire; also survived by many nieces & nephews, grand-nieces & grand-nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Blackie's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham, on Sunday, July 1st from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.

Honor his memory with a contribution to Massachusetts General Hospital, in c/o Dr. David Steele, Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114

Equally important to Carol is ensuring her kids know and remember everything about Blackie. Stories, memories, Blackie'ism's, anecdotes and messages should be emailed to blackiestories@gmail.com