It is with great sadness I share that Mark Ozdoba, @Toys4Boys , passed away in his sleep on September 20th, 2024 at the age of 70 from natural causes.
I never met Mark in person, however, we communicated a lot after meeting on the diyaudio site earlier this year. He was part of a text thread I named on my phone as "The Three Amigos - DIYAudio Edition", which later morphed into the Four Amigos. We were chatting via text all the way up until the day prior to his passing and those conversations are now far more precious to me than I could have ever imagined they would be.
All of our communications were via IM and text so I never even got a chance to hear his voice, let alone see his smile. Yet, I knew Mark was a kind, genuine, and generous soul. We shared a lot of knowledge, had long conversations about all sorts of audio related topics, and often shared parts towards our many builds we planned to complete. I cannot overstate his generosity.
Mark was very knowledgeable with audio gear as he worked at numerous high end audio retailers, including running his own store at one point in his life. He and I often talked about topics we weren't smart on as we both were learning about circuits, audio components, and all the diyaudio gear we love and enjoy listening to. He was working on upgrading his Pearl 3 to dual mono, had plans to build an M2x, was fixing a tube preamp, amongst so many other projects on many of our to-do lists. I wish I had expressed to him outright how much I appreciated our friendship.
If others who interacted with him would like to leave a post for the family, I found a place to do that.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/canton-ma/mark-ozdoba-11999329
I know the tunes are even sweeter sounding where you are now Mark. You are sorely missed my friend.
Rest in Peace Mark
I never met Mark in person, however, we communicated a lot after meeting on the diyaudio site earlier this year. He was part of a text thread I named on my phone as "The Three Amigos - DIYAudio Edition", which later morphed into the Four Amigos. We were chatting via text all the way up until the day prior to his passing and those conversations are now far more precious to me than I could have ever imagined they would be.
All of our communications were via IM and text so I never even got a chance to hear his voice, let alone see his smile. Yet, I knew Mark was a kind, genuine, and generous soul. We shared a lot of knowledge, had long conversations about all sorts of audio related topics, and often shared parts towards our many builds we planned to complete. I cannot overstate his generosity.
Mark was very knowledgeable with audio gear as he worked at numerous high end audio retailers, including running his own store at one point in his life. He and I often talked about topics we weren't smart on as we both were learning about circuits, audio components, and all the diyaudio gear we love and enjoy listening to. He was working on upgrading his Pearl 3 to dual mono, had plans to build an M2x, was fixing a tube preamp, amongst so many other projects on many of our to-do lists. I wish I had expressed to him outright how much I appreciated our friendship.
If others who interacted with him would like to leave a post for the family, I found a place to do that.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/canton-ma/mark-ozdoba-11999329
I know the tunes are even sweeter sounding where you are now Mark. You are sorely missed my friend.
Rest in Peace Mark
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Mark was a great friend. I never had the opportunity to meet him in person, but we continually chatted. The day before he passed, he was checking in to see how he could help locate a missing pallet. He didn't have anything to do with the shipment, but when I was bitching and moaning about it, he piped right up with a quick "$*&%, I'll just go over there and find it for you." Just one of many examples of the type of guy he was.
Rest in peace, Mark.
Rest in peace, Mark.
I'll add another note here to highlight Mark's generosity. Back in June I had mentioned that I don't have a DAC at my folks place in MN where I had built a second Alelph Jzm. When I got back home to WA a week later, a package showed up from him with an Audioquest 'Red Dragonfly' USB DAC. He sent this for me to have without asking for anything and I was floored at his generosity.
In less than a year he was active on DIYaudio he had built a Pearl 3 (that he and I planned to both upgrade each of our units to dual mono), an early tester/builder of the Aleph Jzm before it was released, and was working on repairing a SP10 preamp. We were planning to each build an M2x in parallel and I had sent him all the parts for the build so we could make identical amps. It's hard for me to think about building that M2x now. We were a bit of kindred spirits starting our diyaudio journey at nearly the same time with so many projects we both wanted to build. It's been a difficult weekend for me re-reading our conversations and his recent posts. It was very sudden an unexpected for me. His passing makes me cherish the connections I have made here all the more and appreciate all the people in my life even more knowing how short life really is.
Lastly, I'll say, being a generous person most certainly leaves a lasting impact on others. I hope anyone reading this takes a moment to consider how they can express generosity to others.
In less than a year he was active on DIYaudio he had built a Pearl 3 (that he and I planned to both upgrade each of our units to dual mono), an early tester/builder of the Aleph Jzm before it was released, and was working on repairing a SP10 preamp. We were planning to each build an M2x in parallel and I had sent him all the parts for the build so we could make identical amps. It's hard for me to think about building that M2x now. We were a bit of kindred spirits starting our diyaudio journey at nearly the same time with so many projects we both wanted to build. It's been a difficult weekend for me re-reading our conversations and his recent posts. It was very sudden an unexpected for me. His passing makes me cherish the connections I have made here all the more and appreciate all the people in my life even more knowing how short life really is.
Lastly, I'll say, being a generous person most certainly leaves a lasting impact on others. I hope anyone reading this takes a moment to consider how they can express generosity to others.
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I am at a little bit of a loss. Got some loose ends I never got around because I was busy.
It also bugs me that Mark never finished his SP-13 pre amp. I tried helping him, was a bit out of my depth.
I was also giving him some space, because I was busy, and I figured he was busy since he had started a new job.
I knew he had some health issues, he never once mentioned to me that they were that serious.
He was incredibly generous, one time I was chatting with him and Dan bemoaning that my nephews had destroyed my vinyl cartridge, and I didn’t have one to replace it. A week or so later, Mark, sends me a package with three spare cartridges he had.
Later he was looking at his extra vinyl LP’s, and offered to send them to me at no cost, he just wanted them to be played.
In the back of my mind, I always felt that I would get the opportunity to repay the generosity, unfortunately I ran out of time.
Mark’s passing hit me hard. It does so because, as I was getting into the hobby, Mark was there. He was funny, and interested in the same thing I was. He was also, generous in a really unexpected way. I mean, I have never been a part of a hobby like this, friendly caring people, generous people like him. His involvement in this community led me to the realization that this was my tribe of folks, and he was part of my tribe.
I hope that he got as much joy, and happiness out of this hobby, as I did. He had told me the reason that he got into the hobby, was because his taste in audio equipment was getting a little too rich for his blood, especially as he transitioned into retirement. I don’t care about the reasons he got into the hobby, except that I am glad that I was able to meet him, engage with him, and experience his passion for this hobby.
As he always said, “After all, ever see a Hearse with luggage racks 😉”
Thank you for everything Mark,
You will be missed!
Cheers,
Jose
It also bugs me that Mark never finished his SP-13 pre amp. I tried helping him, was a bit out of my depth.
I was also giving him some space, because I was busy, and I figured he was busy since he had started a new job.
I knew he had some health issues, he never once mentioned to me that they were that serious.
He was incredibly generous, one time I was chatting with him and Dan bemoaning that my nephews had destroyed my vinyl cartridge, and I didn’t have one to replace it. A week or so later, Mark, sends me a package with three spare cartridges he had.
Later he was looking at his extra vinyl LP’s, and offered to send them to me at no cost, he just wanted them to be played.
In the back of my mind, I always felt that I would get the opportunity to repay the generosity, unfortunately I ran out of time.
Mark’s passing hit me hard. It does so because, as I was getting into the hobby, Mark was there. He was funny, and interested in the same thing I was. He was also, generous in a really unexpected way. I mean, I have never been a part of a hobby like this, friendly caring people, generous people like him. His involvement in this community led me to the realization that this was my tribe of folks, and he was part of my tribe.
I hope that he got as much joy, and happiness out of this hobby, as I did. He had told me the reason that he got into the hobby, was because his taste in audio equipment was getting a little too rich for his blood, especially as he transitioned into retirement. I don’t care about the reasons he got into the hobby, except that I am glad that I was able to meet him, engage with him, and experience his passion for this hobby.
As he always said, “After all, ever see a Hearse with luggage racks 😉”
Thank you for everything Mark,
You will be missed!
Cheers,
Jose
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It feels odd clicking the "Like" button on posts in this forum, and wish there were some kind of alternative.
I am only slightly familiar with Mark but am familiar with Toys4Boys posts. His generosity sounds familiar to that of Holzarbeiter who passed away earlier this year. The friendliness and attitude of Mark and Charles speaks volumes about the kind of people on this forum and how some of them just stand out. They will both be missed.
70 is young these days. Pity.
I am only slightly familiar with Mark but am familiar with Toys4Boys posts. His generosity sounds familiar to that of Holzarbeiter who passed away earlier this year. The friendliness and attitude of Mark and Charles speaks volumes about the kind of people on this forum and how some of them just stand out. They will both be missed.
70 is young these days. Pity.
I'm usually lost in space and time, also somewhat lost in all Monikers ....... but who cares ..... I know that, even lost, I'm going to stumble on some kind soul
We are all here, then going ..... what's important is Goodness and Sincerity, prevailing
Salute to Toys4Boys, Kind Soul
We are all here, then going ..... what's important is Goodness and Sincerity, prevailing
Salute to Toys4Boys, Kind Soul
I'm using this opportunity to bump this thread back up and share again that I'll be donating two ACA Mini's in Mark's honor at Burning Amp Festival 2024 this weekend. Mark and I had talked numerous times about ClaudeG's suggested modifications, and Mark was eager to install the parts so he could modify his ACA Mini(s) accordingly. He never got the chance to do it as he passed just a few weeks later. As a professional Audio salesman Mark was a big proponent of AB listening, and that's what inspired me to make two identical ACA Mini's, one stock and one with ClaudeG's modifications for AB listening at BAF'24.
I miss our conversations Mark. May you be enjoying glorious tunes!
Rest in Peace
I miss our conversations Mark. May you be enjoying glorious tunes!
Rest in Peace
I just stumbled on to this thread and am saddened to read of Mark's passing. I did not know him other than to read his posts in various threads, but couldn't help but be inspired by his enthusiasm and passion.