'Create some meaning:' Johnstown family honors life of loved one through hockey

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) From the sight of skates rushing across the ice to the sound of a slapshot scoring a goal, Mark Kresak was all about hockey. After working with the Johnstown Tomahawks for seven years as a photographer -- and right hand man -- his second home became the 1st Summit Arena

From the sight of skates rushing across the ice to the sound of a slapshot scoring a goal, Mark Kresak was all about hockey.

After working with the Johnstown Tomahawks for seven years as a photographer -- and right hand man -- his second home became the 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial.

"His impact is immeasurable. That's kind of the perfect word. He was literally all over this building all the time," said Derek Partsch, Director of Business Operations with the Johnstown Tomahawks.

The Johnstown native had a massive heart attack on November 5th, the day after his 61st birthday.

In lieu of flowers, Mark's wife, Jen, said they wanted to do something "more productive" to remember him.

We know people like to express their grief, reach out, and make sure that the family who is grieving knows that they're thinking of them. We really wanted to be able to tell people that we're going to do something concrete with Mark's memory," she told 6 News.

They started the Mark Kresak Memorial Fund to carry on his impact in the Johnstown hockey community for years to come.

Mark's daughter, Tristin, said they will use the money to sponsor a youth hockey team every year, and eventually start clinics and tournaments in his name.

"I think it's been able to provide some meaning for us. It was a shock. It was very unexpected. To be able to create some meaning -- in a meaningless situation -- makes it worth something," she said.

In addition to the fund, pieces of Mark are literally "living on" through the donation of his organs.

Mark's donations directly saved the lives of two people -- and will help countless others through research -- by becoming an organ donor.

Only about 50% of eligible donors in Pennsylvania are registered to be an organ donor, according to the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE).

Mark's case is very incredible. He was a skin, cornea, and organ donor. He hit all three. I think it just shows such a testament to giving the gift of life, and also healing others through donation," said Sara McMahan with CORE.

According to the CDC, someone in the United States has a heart attack every 40 seconds.

Even for those who would least expect to have one, Mark's family has one very important message.

"Please get your heart checked. Even if you're a very active person. My husband was super active. We spent the summer biking, hiking, and going white water rafting. Get your heart checked," said Jen.

When a loved one passes away, all you want is to have them back.

But when you can't, the next best thing is to make sure their memory never dies.

"We were able to take a really senseless tragedy, and make a little bit of meaning out of it," Jen told 6 News.

That's the ultimate hockey "goal."

"My hope is that the kids who remember Mark now -- the Westmont players, the Tomahawk players -- someday, when they have a child playing hockey, they'll remember Mark by seeing his name on their child's jersey. I'd like this to be a generational thing that lasts for a long time," she continued.

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