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Josh Bladzik, Mark Pierson, Jackie Molen,
Jim Zajicek the crew of the Big Circus
Sideshow. On a jump from Salt Lake
City UT to Waco TX Sept. 2009
Mark Pierson past to the Great Midway,
at his Mother Home
Nov. 17th 2009
Received
a call earlier today from Jim Zajicek
With some
sad news. Jonathon "Mark" Pierson passed
away yesterday.
He had returned home at the seasons end
and while visiting his mother in Canada
suffered a heart attack.
Mark started on the Vargas show on the
big top crew in 1977 and eventually
worked his way to the elephant dept. He
was with Vargas off and on til
1993 where he worked under VC Arivett,
Tom Larson, Erik Jaeger and
especially enjoyed working for Ted Polk
and Rex Williams.
He also worked a short stint for Alan
Campbell and then worked for the
Hawthorn corp. under Gary Thomas.
In more recent times, he spent 16 years off and on working for Jim Zalicek
around the elephants and later manning
the ticket box on Jim's Big Circus
Side Show.
Last winter he put some time in at the
Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo.
A private
family service will be held in Canada.
James C. Hall
Mark
in Ticket box Big Circus Sideshow
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Mark
and Gyp
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Mark rear
right, Circus Vargas
Mark
with a few friend - Last Round-Up
Longtime cohort, navigator and Friend
Mark Pierson passed away yesterday...We
closed last week in Shreveport LA, and
he went home to visit his Mom, he died
of a Heart attack... Mark rode 1000's
upon 1000's of miles with me....I am
deeply saddened by his passing as he was
like a Brother to me....
Jim Zajicek
I have spent the last four years
traveling the country with the BCS, I
consider Mark and Jim my family. I
am really at a loss for words about
Marks death, I mean a week ago we were
telling stories and laughing together
and now he is gone and will never have
the opportunity to share his company
again, when you spend that much time
around someone it is a very depressing
thought to know you will never get to
again.
At least I no he is up in that big top
in the sky with Cliff and Rex.
Josh Bladzik
Mark in the ticket box Shreveport LA
was probably the last photo taken of
him before he went home to see his
mom. He hadn't been home for
two years. He was looking
forward to getting home and visiting
his mom. It's a blessing he
made it. Nov. 2009
Mar
I talked to Jim this morning...this
is going to be very hard for him, He
and Mark did a lot of miles
together.
Mark had a gruff exterior but a kind
heart. He loved to share jackpots,
especially if they were about his
latest casino adventure. He enjoy
gambling and enjoyed telling you
about the plays he made.
When I was getting ready to head
home from Shreveport, the last
thing Mark told me was, "Tell Abby I
said hi". I didn't forget to
tell her.
We'll miss Mark's stories.
We'll miss his wise cracks.
Rick
and Abby West and the Gatorman
A good book, his cigar, some peanuts,
and a coke. Cutting up jackpots
with friends.
That
is Mark.
I will miss Mark and his stories.
John Robinson
I didn't get
to know him for long, but this pretty
much sums up the Mark I did know. He
knew how to make the most of his own
capabilities. I never knew him to refuse
a helping hand if it was sincerely asked
for -or if he saw the need for one. He
was just one of those quiet guys who
always seem to be there, hovering in the
background while others take center
stage. He was the prop man, the stage
crew, the sound effects guy, one of
those the show just can't go on without,
but whom nobody seems to notice -till
he's not there.
All the animals of the BCS, I'm sure,
will miss his care and regular
clean-ups. The whole show will be much
harder to operate without him. I believe
Mark Pierson was much more important to
the BCS than anybody ever imagined.
May he be at peace and find his way
through the mists to a reserved seat at
that Big Circus in the Sky.
-Mephisto
Andy
Crossley
I am
Sorry for your loss... I did not know
Mark well however I remember working on
the same shows with him through the
years, the first being Circus Vargas in
1986 and then many other shows through
the years. I remember him always being
kind.
Tracey Degirolamo Bannister
This is
terrible. I am so sorry for your loss. I
remember playing cards with mark a few
different times after the show and with
all the guys and my Dad of course. Mark
was a great guy and will truly be
missed.
Rachael Bellman
Sorry to
learn about Mark ,never will forget the
night me you Mark my dad and Devin went
Jackpot NV in Devin's car ....Hans
Klose
Sorry to
hear about Mark passing. He sure could
tell some stories. He had a remarkable
memory and was a serious card player
too, in addition to being a knowledgable
elephant man. The Big Circus Sideshow
won't be the same.
David Pitts
Mark
Pierson leading "Col. Joe" w/ Ted Polk
and "Leon"...
Jim even
though I knew Mark from not only working
with you but meeting him when I was with
tigers and he was with Elephants and
working on Vargas and once when working
a date for Tommy at Auburn Hills when I
was with Roy. He was always a good guy
to be around. Jess said when she heard
Hey wasn't he the guy with Sideshow Jim
who used to be Elephant. Jim at the
shrine, that got me on the elephant for
the first time that I remember going on
one with out having to be a shown a
photo? Said yep and she said bummer and
sorry about that. But what she
remembered was his gruffness but
kindness to her around the girls. Now I
will go smoke a Dinapoli in is honor and
a diet coke. May he find Bianchi's Pizza
to his hearts
Mark
was a all around good guy. He will be
missed. Robert Schneider
I'm gonna
really miss Mark. He was one of a kind
and I had fun talking to him and soaking
up all of his stories while we drove
around every little town looking for
food or cigar shops on the road. He
ALWAYS had a new story to tell and
wasn't afraid to tell you what he
thought about something. He was the
genuine article and he will be sorely
missed. My thoughts go out to all his
friends and family...Kroenen
So sorry
to hear about Mark. He was always so
helpful to us on the Vargas show, he
remembered every lot, where the
supermarkets were, and anything else you
needed. Maybe Bill and mark will get
together and talk about old times. May
both rest in peace. Trudy Strong
Guys like him is
what makes our business work he will be
missed. Dennis Warner
Terrible
news, and very sad. An honest to
God showman. Blessing on that new
lot where he's sitting at the bally or
working bulls. Ben Trumble
I had a
good long conversation with Mark there
in Waco when I was passing through! When
you told me he was leaving you to take
care of his mother, I remember thinking
"that was awfully GOOD of him".
God rest his soul! He was a good worker
for you, and a friend to many! He will
be sorely missed, by many!
Jim, I am so sorry for your loss!
Peter Sturgis
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I am saddened to hear this. I met Mark & Jim for the 1st time this past April while performing with Donny Vomit at the Pima County Fair in Tucson. He was a "real" character and his stories were great. I will have fond memories of us at the TTT and him waiting for the cab to take him to the casino. I was hoping to see him again this coming season, but at least I got one and that is more than some can say. See ya buddy!!
John Shaw