October 30, 1953 - May 7, 2025
Mark Edgar Whalen of Penticton, beloved husband of Shannon Keyes, died surrounded by family Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Penticton General Hospital at the age of 71.
Mark grew up in Dorval, Quebec but sought adventure out west soon after graduating High School. Although Mark lived a life of climbing, his first love was skiing. He competed in freestyle skiing and ski ballet. Mark became an ACMG mountain guide, which enabled him to both ski and climb for a living. He was a lead guide for various heli-ski companies, the co-owner of Dreamcatcher Heli-skiing based out of Bella Coola, and the lead mountain instructor for many years at the Banff National Army Cadet Camp.
Mark was an accomplished mountaineer who climbed virtually every peak in the Canadian National Parks in the Rockies and made multiple ascents of Mount Robson and Mount Logan – and, with Carlos Buhler, made the first winter ascent of the Deltaform Super Couloir. He was the first ascensionist of many popular sport climbing routes in the Banff/Canmore area, including the classic route, True Grit. He was a visionary in designing and building indoor and outdoor climbing walls in southern Alberta.
Mark met and married Shannon, the love of his life, in 2013 in Prince George, and they blended their families. Mark retired to become a full-time husband and dad to their household of seven teenagers. Mark was a loving and dedicated father and grandfather. Mark’s children and grandchildren share his passion for climbing. As the kids grew up, Mark rekindled his love of music and took up jazz guitar. He also pursued his love of woodworking and made many beautiful pieces of furniture.
After Mark and Shannon moved to Penticton full- time in 2021, Mark joined the staff at Nickel Plate Nordic Center, grooming trails and to his great joy, as an instructor for children’s ski programs. Mark loved teaching and was always kind and gentle and good humoured.
Mark pursued excellence in everything he did, both in his work and hobbies. Mark was both a consummate renaissance man and a humble non-conformist who was instantly recognizable to everyone due to his rather distinctive glasses - and for the record, he had them before Bono.
Mark is survived by his wife Shannon Keyes, mother Lucille Whalen Poulin, sisters Christine (Maarten), Shelia (John), Teresa and MaryAnn (Peter), children Zac (Carli), Sam (Amanda), Zoe (Lucas) and step children Rebekah (Tom), Joshua, Ethan and Hannah (Mason) and grandchildren Isaak, Pip and Bo. Mark was predeceased by his father, Russell Anthony Whalen.
A celebration of Mark’s life is planned for July 5th at the Skaha Lake Pavilion in Penticton BC at 10:30am. For folks wishing to speak or submit a story or photos, please email Shannon at: [email protected]