Mark Richard Bolender

Mark Richard Bolender passed away suddenly on June 27, 2016, two days short of his 56th birthday. Born in Glendale, California on June 29, 1960 to Martin Richard and Doris Helen Bolender, Mark was the youngest of three children with two older sisters, Judy and Jill.  He was a Southern California native his entire life.  The bright sun and feel of the SoCal coast were a magnet to his free-spirit.  He attended grade school and high school in Glendale, where he graduated from Glendale High School in 1978.  He earned his Associate’s Degree from Glendale Community College, and also attended the Glendale police academy, becoming a police officer. It was not the fit he was hoping for and he left the position after a short time.  He dabbled in real estate and car sales, but neither gave him the comfort and success that he would eventually find in the food-service industry.  

He would attain near celebrity status during his 17-year tenure at TGIFridays in San Bernardino as an extremely well-known bartender.  His electric personality, unparalleled work-ethic, and scintillating sense of humor drew people from far and wide to sit opposite Mark at the bar.  Eventually, San Manuel Casino offered him a position of management where he could pass his knowledge on to young, new-comers to the industry.  His people loved and respected him in his position.  

Although he was a hard worker who enjoyed his industry, Mark was far more passionate about his personal life.  He was an L.A. Dodger fan since just before birth, and loved a long, straight tee shot on a par 5.  He enjoyed a medium rare steak and a nice bottle of red, a lawn chair in the sun with a book, or a classic movie marathon. These and many more things made his charismatic smile even more contagious to those around him.  He could enjoy simplicity and complexity all at the same time.  

Mark was a great and loyal friend, boasting relationships of over forty years.  Above all, he was a family man.  Mark loved his family and his family felt the same about him.  He kept them in stitches every waking moment and nothing soothed his soul like the sound of his wife and children’s laughter.  He is survived by his loving wife Katrina Bolender, daughter Ashlyn Van Hook and her husband Brian, and his sons, Mark Richard Bolender, Jr. and Jackson Thomas Bolender.  He had four beautiful grandchildren.

Peace and Love,