Mark Arthur Hare

Mark Arthur Hare, 66 of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on August 16, 2023 at his residence.

He was born on July 28, 1957 at Biloxi Keesler AFB to John Arthur Hare and Alberta Wilson Hare. He was a twelve-year Ocean Springs student and attended MGCCC. He started working as the Fort Bayou bridge tender, in 1971, at the young age of 14. He was a Harbormaster from 1985 to 1993 and worked beach maintenance from 1993-1998. His career was with the Fire Service from 1978 to 2007 serving many levels and capacities. He was the Ocean Springs Fire Chief from 1999 to retirement in 2007. He served in the Civil Defense in 1999.

His second career was with CSX Railroad working the bridges at Rigolets, Pascagoula Draw, and Biloxi Bay until he returned to Beach Maintenance for Jackson County as a part-time job with an effort to help his community shine. Mark’s favorite past time was being on the water. He loved to fish but couldn’t catch. He collected antique outboard motors, loved history, and genuinely loved talking to people.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alberta Hare.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor “Cissy” Hare; sister, Sandy Hare; brother-in-law, Bo Hamilton; nephew, Woody (Morgan) Peterson and their children, Elliot Peterson and Soren Peterson.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs, MS. Friends may visit from 10:00am until service time. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Ocean Springs, MS.