Mark Hardie is a name that brings a smile to our faces here at Travel Tacoma + Pierce County. It’s with fond memories and heavy hearts that we acknowledge his passing last weekend.
He started volunteering at Tacoma’s Visitor Information Center [VIC] back in 2008 and at least once a week for seven years, he was the face that greeted visitors to the region he loved. When we think of what a perfect volunteer would be, Mark comes to mind. His willingness to run our VIC had been a key part in our volunteer program.
When talking with Mark about his volunteering tenure, he said “I like to be with people, and this position provides me with the chance to work with a unique group of interesting and talented individuals. And the many visitors we get to assist each day, through the VIC and at the various conferences we work.”
As a volunteer, Mark’s biggest job was to answer questions from visitors, and he excelled at it. Beyond that, we would hear him chatting and laughing with them long after their question had been answered. The visitors he interacted with always left with a smile, and a better experience for having met him. He made sure the visitors to our county encountered a friendly face, and it’s a face we’ll miss.
