GLENS FALLS--- Mark Van Wormer, 49, of Fredella Ave, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 26, 2020. He was born April 3, 1971 in Albany, NY to the late Brian Phillip Van Wormer and Christa (Spitzbarth) Van Wormer.

Mark is predeceased by his father, Brian Phillip Van Wormer; survived by his two sons Jack Karl Van Wormer, Dewa Van Wormer and Novie Van Wormer; his mother Christa Van Wormer and his sisters Kimberly (Van Wormer) Gill and Dawn (Van Wormer) Saenz; his nephews Brady, Matthew and Sean and his niece Sydnee; his stepmom, Helen Van Wormer; his uncles Norman Van Wormer (Alice Zalucki), Kurt Spitzbarth (Meiyan) and Erik Spitzbarth (Diane), and many cousins and close friends and his cat companion, Bubba.

As a little boy, Mark was a gentle, loving, free-spirited child. He always loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and even saved a small bunny once. He was also a little feisty, like the time he poured bleach all over the brand new couch because he was "doing laundry like mommy does!"

He grew up in Latham, NY, graduated from Shaker High School, attended both Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Albany. His majors were criminal justice and political science, a minor in history and he studied international relations. Anyone who knew Mark knew he was very politically astute and loved a good political conversation/debate. He was very interested in history. In particular, he was a war buff and had watched many war documentaries and read many books on the subjects of many wars.

He is self-described on his Instagram account as "father, musician, fisherman, skateboarder, friend and podcaster." He didn't mention it but he was also an avid reader. He loved his boys deeply and spoke of them often. Most recently, he was back playing his guitars, like old times, and he was recording his music, mostly cover tunes, on his YouTube video channel. He had a podcast channel, VanWormDog, on Spotify and Apple.

Mark had an incredible life-long love of fishing and had participated in fishing competitions. When he was a boy he lived on Kinderhook Lake in a log cabin with his family for a short time and learned to fish with his sister by the dock on the lake. He always fished when visiting his maternal grandparents at the lake near their home in Pennsylvania (Poconos) and with his sons when living in Connecticut.

Mark was outgoing and loved people, connections and conversations. He was easy-going and easy to talk with. He touched the lives of many people with his good-naturedness, humor, contagious laugh and witty banter. His smile was infectious and at times a little mischievous.

He will be remembered by those who love him for all of these things and more. We will miss him beyond words.

There will not be any services but a remembrance event will be planned sometime in 2021.

A loving note from Mark's son, Jack (15):

My father, Mark Van Wormer was a wise, social, and motivating individual who ensured success and happiness regarding those he loved. He made the people around him feel conjoined despite their apparent differences and hardships, with his contagious spirit and joy for talking and building bonds. It is with great power and a heavy heart that I ask he be remembered for his great drive towards making scenarios best suitable for others, an act of selflessness that many may not be able to share. He made sure his family felt close and loved. He went above and beyond for me (Jack) and my brother, Dewa. He would often spend his last paychecks and dollars creating memories with us that would ultimately last a lifetime, however the fishing trips at our favorite spots served as most significant. A man and his two sons, fishing until the sun set and the forest-like setting that surrounded the lakes, we felt almost anonymous. We had deep talks about the future, him seeing me finally grow taller than him (ahaha), my eventual graduation, and him becoming a grandfather are things I will cherish for a lifetime as no one else on Earth could possibly come close to replicating these recollections.

Condolences can be posted here on his guest book or on his Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vanwormer.90 or sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804.

VanWormdog podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/35mpg1lStDPoZXVPN9wldK

Mark Van Wormer YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2_Qtsj__b43hprKwod55Qg/featured .

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mark's sons Jack and Dewa. Donations can be made here: https://gofund.me/31425022 .