10:30am | The family of Mark Bixby released a statement this morning about the upcoming public services for Mark, who was one of five men killed in a plane crash at the Long Beach Airport last Wednesday. The services will be Friday, March 25, at 10 a.m. at the U.S. Sailing Center, 5489 E. Ocean Blvd.
The release is below:
Mark was a prominent Long Beach community leader who inspired so many others, and over the years served in numerous community organizations.
The Bixby family is well known citywide as one of the founding families of Long Beach. Mark leaves behind a wife, Theresa, and three children, Ryan (16), Kirra (15) and Jessica (13).
To honor Mark’s passion for cycling and his efforts as a bicycle advocate, a memorial bike ride will take place prior to the service, beginning at 8:00am from the U.S. Sailing Center to the Gerald Desmond Bridge and back. A member of Long Beach Cyclists, Mark’s accomplishments include coordination and promotion of many rides and cycling events. He was the founding director of the annual Long Beach Bicycle Festival and was most recently an integral part of the planning to include bike access in the design of the new Gerald Desmond Bridge.
Bixby also had a life-long love affair with the ocean. After the spoken service, attendees will commemorate this love with a traditional Hawaiian paddle-out, taking place at approximately 12:30pm on Alamitos Bay between the U.S. Sailing Center and Gondola Getaway (rain or shine). Those who would like to participate should bring their own surfboard, kayak, canoe or other flotation device and may leave them on the beach area adjacent to the Sailing Center. Flowers or leis are encouraged as an offering to the sea. Guests planning to attend the service or paddle out by power boat are asked to cut their engines during this time. Because of an expected large turnout, refreshments will not be served, so guests should plan accordingly. The public is welcome to remain on the beach, share stories, and picnic. Mark would have loved nothing more.
Mark’s ashes will be released at sea in a private family setting. The Bixby family will then return home for much needed rest and quiet time together and ask that the community respect their privacy.
Parking will be available on Ocean Boulevard and at the Claremont and Granada lots with shuttle service to the Sailing Center. Locals are encouraged to ride their bikes or walk to reserve parking for those who need to be closer. The family welcomes casual dress, and color is encouraged.
In lieu of food and flowers, the family kindly requests contributions in memory of Mark Bixby to any of the following charities, or to the charity of your choice: YMCA of Greater Long Beach Camping Services Endowment. Rotary Club of Long Beach Scholarship Foundation, and Children Today. Mark served on the board of YMCA Camping Services, was President of Rotary Club of Long Beach, and was very supportive of Children Today, a non-profit co-founded by Mark’s wife, Theresa Bixby.
The Bixby family has set up a memorial webpage which features a memory book for visitors to share stories and photos of their experiences with Mark. It also includes biographical information, including a life purpose statement and various other writings in Bixby’s own words.