The suicide of Mark Canfora’s 18-year-old son, Mark Jr. or “Marky,” didn’t just affect his family. The entire community – friends and neighbors - felt the painful loss, too.
Rather than grieve alone, the community gathered together in the park where Marky died to remember him and others who have died. The “Celebration of Life” became an annual event, and for Canfora, it became a mission to bring comfort to others who have lost a loved one.
“There’s hope during life’s most difficult circumstances,” Canfora said. “Even though we may not see it in this earth, there’s eternal hope.”
Canfora will bring his message of love, hope and healing to Celebration of Life Community Wide Rally for Suicide Prevention and Awareness, a free event that will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Citizens Lodge Park.
“Many coming remember their children, family and friends that passed away,” Canfora said. “We gather to celebrate their lives on earth and their lives in heaven.”
The event is being organized by Christy Shores, who had heard Canfora’s message at a Celebration of Life event in Panama City. Canfora helped Shores and her family deal with the pain of a family member committing suicide. After hearing about more suicides occurring not only in Jackson County, but also the surrounding area, Shores wanted to bring Canfora’s message to the community.
“His message is about hope and healing,” Shores said. “It’s something I think a family needs to hear to get some kind of healing from it.”
One of the most important things people need to hear is that people love and care for them, Mark said, whether it be between a parent and child or between community members.
“There are people in this region and outside of this state that care,” Canfora said. “We’re not alone. We as a community, as a state and as a country can gather together and make a difference.”
Mark’s book about dealing with his son’s death, “A Child Died, a Father Cried and God Answered,” will be on sale at the event. There will also be musical entertainment by Christian bands Falling Down Broken and B-Shoc.
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