Over the past 13-14 months, nothing seems to surprise me anymore.
Just when you think you have seen or heard it all, something happens that changes that perspective.
I’ve detailed in this space on numerous occasions how I am an old school pro wrestling fan. I’m not ashamed to admit that, might I add.
Nearly two years ago, I finally met Mark Bujan, a noted wrestling historian who lives in Davisburg, in person for a story I was writing for The Clarkston News. What began as an interview turned to a four-hour talk on wrestling of years gone by, looking at old magazines and posters, and professing our mutual love for the way the business used to be.
Last week, I found out Mark had a heart attack and passed away over the weekend. My jaw dropped and I was stunned. He was only 61.
I first met Mark through other wrestling nuts, and we would communicate over email. When I met him in the summer of 2019, it was as if we’d known each other for decades. We remembered the same matches, talked about Big Time Wrestling and names like The Sheik, Bobo Brazil, Dick the Bruiser, George Cannon, Luis Martinez, Mark Lewin, Irish Mickey Doyle, and so on.
Mark ran several popular Facebook groups that focused on past wrestling events, wrestlers and, basically, anything you wanted to know about the local scene from bygone eras.
In fact, I had messaged him just about a month ago about a show at Ferndale High School from the spring of 1994 that I attended and if he could track down the results. He said he would take care of it and would get back to me.
Sadly, he never will.
The outpouring of tributes came in on social media from folks all over, many from wrestling fans who leaned on Mark for news of the past. It’s not only a shame that we lost someone as in tune with old school wrestling as Mark was, but I feel for his wife, Nita, who I met that day, and Nancy, a woman he and Nita cared for in their home who actually thought I was a wrestler.
Mark, you may have left this earth, but your memory will live on forever.
Thank you for being a great friend.
— Matt Mackinder