Mark Crabtree Memorial Fund
“Be the best version of yourself,” Mark Crabtree
Mark was an amazing son, husband and father who lived life to the fullest. Mark loved fishing, cooking, grilling and Star Wars. He coached baseball and softball for years – and while he enjoyed winning, his goal was for each player to have fun while improving their skills. Mark placed family first. Mark declined an offer to interview for the position of strength coach of the Chicago White Sox because he knew that the amount of travel would take time away from family. Mark loved sharing stories with his children about his jobs that varied from mucking out stables, to lifeguarding, to serving as a bouncer at a bar, to working at the Bulls/Sox Training Academy.
Mark’s dream was to open his own fitness facility, and his dream became a reality in 2014 when he opened Ignite Fitness. For over three years, Mark enjoyed helping clients achieve their fitness and health goals. Mark lived to set a good example for clients as his fitness and nutrition choices were top notch. He was succeeding, and new clients were joining the Ignite Fitness family each month.
Mark put others before himself. He mentored students from North Central College. He willingly shaved his head to raise money for childhood cancer at St. Baldrick’s events. He volunteered to be a Watchdog Dad and walked with his family to raise money for Alzheimers research. Had he known about it, Mark would have supported Young Hearts for Life Cardiac Screening Program.
In June 2017, Mark passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition at the age of 44. Mark is deeply missed by his family and friends and they have established a scholarship in his memory at North Central College and the Mark Crabtree Memorial Fund with YH4L.
All proceeds from the Mark Crabtree Memorial Fund will be directed to the Young Hearts for Life Program.
