Mark Bistoyong was “larger than life” — a talented athlete, honours student, charismatic young man, great brother, loyal friend, and the “glue” that held his family together.The 16-year-old was tragically killed July 2 when he was stabbed at a family gathering in what Hamilton police have described as an “unprovoked attack.” His 22-year-old cousin Laureano Bistoyong is charged with first-degree murder.In a statement to the Spectator, Mark’s family remembers the “confident, charismatic young man who loved being the centre of attention.” He was funny, giving and had a magnetic personality.“He would instantly brighten a room,” the statement said. “It was always a challenge to say ‘no’ to Mark; his smile and charm knew how to persuade you.”Mark had just finished Grade 11 at St. Thomas More (STM) Catholic Secondary School, with honours, and is widely remembered there as a nice and popular kid, and great athlete. Since his death, his family has heard from countless friends and also strangers about the impact the teen made on them. Many of his friends go all the way back to kindergarten.At home, Mark was the second-oldest of four boys, but his family says he was a “big brother to all three.” Any health and fitness, sports, fashion and style questions all went to Mark. He was a “role model” to them.“Mark was an endless source of pride and joy to his parents and one of immense strength and guidance to his brothers,” his obituary says. “Mark’s love and generosity were the glue that held his family together.”Mark’s family is paying tribute to his memory by raising funds for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at McMaster Children’s Hospital and a bursary.The GoFundMe says the Mark Bistoyong Bursary “will assist a deserving student on their educational journey, offering them the opportunity to flourish in areas that Mark was unable to pursue.” The family says the yearly bursary will go to a graduating STM student who, like Mark, is “larger than life.”The family also chose to raise funds for the McMaster NICU because that is where “Mark’s journey began in the most challenging of circumstances,” the GoFundMe says. It was at the hospital, “within the nurturing embrace of the dedicated staff, that Mark fought against the odds and triumphed over the hurdles of those first critical moments of life.”“It gives the Bistoyong family a great sense of comfort to know the entire amount of the GoFundMe will help Mark’s legacy live on,” the family said in its statement to the Spectator.As a child, Mark learned to skate at three years old and went on to play rep hockey for four years. He also practised jiu-jitsu for 10 years and Muay Thai for two years. Recently, he was a member of the STM football and wrestling teams. A skilled swimmer, he was excited to start a job as a lifeguard at Wild Waterworks this summer.The family describes Mark as a “leader in the gym,” doing three-hour workouts. He was taking biology and chemistry in school with the aspiration of becoming a dermatologist. He took a keen interest in his own skin care. He was a “sneakerhead” who loved cologne and the activewear brand Lululemon.In the days since his death, Mark’s family has had messages from community members, people they don’t even know, who said Mark helped them and left an impression. He will “forever be remembered” from the football field, weight room or for simply telling a “funny story to brighten their day.”The STM football program shared the news of Mark’s death on Twitter, writing: “Our hearts go out to Mark’s family, friends, teammates and the STM community. Mark was a bright young man who will be forever loved (and) sorely missed. #ForeverAKnight.”STM principal Brian Daly previously told the Spectator the 16-year-old is remembered as a “great kid.” The school opened its doors for students to gather and find support following the tragedy and has shared funeral details with the school community.Visitation is scheduled at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, 947 Rymal Rd. E., on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral mass is at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 20 Idlewood Ave., on Monday, July 10 at 10 a.m., followed by entombment at Resurrection Cemetery, in the Our Lady of Hope Mausoleum, 254 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster. Nicole O’Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at the Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com
Mark Bistoyong was “larger than life” — a talented athlete, honours student, charismatic young man, great brother, loyal friend, and the “glue” that held his family together.
The 16-year-old was tragically killed July 2 when he was stabbed at a family gathering in what Hamilton police have described as an “unprovoked attack.” His 22-year-old cousin Laureano Bistoyong is charged with first-degree murder.
In a statement to the Spectator, Mark’s family remembers the “confident, charismatic young man who loved being the centre of attention.” He was funny, giving and had a magnetic personality.
“He would instantly brighten a room,” the statement said. “It was always a challenge to say ‘no’ to Mark; his smile and charm knew how to persuade you.”
Mark had just finished Grade 11 at St. Thomas More (STM) Catholic Secondary School, with honours, and is widely remembered there as a nice and popular kid, and great athlete. Since his death, his family has heard from countless friends and also strangers about the impact the teen made on them. Many of his friends go all the way back to kindergarten.
At home, Mark was the second-oldest of four boys, but his family says he was a “big brother to all three.” Any health and fitness, sports, fashion and style questions all went to Mark. He was a “role model” to them.
“Mark was an endless source of pride and joy to his parents and one of immense strength and guidance to his brothers,” his obituary says. “Mark’s love and generosity were the glue that held his family together.”
Mark’s family is paying tribute to his memory by raising funds for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at McMaster Children’s Hospital and a bursary.
The GoFundMe says the Mark Bistoyong Bursary “will assist a deserving student on their educational journey, offering them the opportunity to flourish in areas that Mark was unable to pursue.” The family says the yearly bursary will go to a graduating STM student who, like Mark, is “larger than life.”
The family also chose to raise funds for the McMaster NICU because that is where “Mark’s journey began in the most challenging of circumstances,” the GoFundMe says. It was at the hospital, “within the nurturing embrace of the dedicated staff, that Mark fought against the odds and triumphed over the hurdles of those first critical moments of life.”
“It gives the Bistoyong family a great sense of comfort to know the entire amount of the GoFundMe will help Mark’s legacy live on,” the family said in its statement to the Spectator.
As a child, Mark learned to skate at three years old and went on to play rep hockey for four years. He also practised jiu-jitsu for 10 years and Muay Thai for two years. Recently, he was a member of the STM football and wrestling teams. A skilled swimmer, he was excited to start a job as a lifeguard at Wild Waterworks this summer.
The family describes Mark as a “leader in the gym,” doing three-hour workouts. He was taking biology and chemistry in school with the aspiration of becoming a dermatologist. He took a keen interest in his own skin care. He was a “sneakerhead” who loved cologne and the activewear brand Lululemon.
In the days since his death, Mark’s family has had messages from community members, people they don’t even know, who said Mark helped them and left an impression. He will “forever be remembered” from the football field, weight room or for simply telling a “funny story to brighten their day.”
The STM football program shared the news of Mark’s death on Twitter, writing: “Our hearts go out to Mark’s family, friends, teammates and the STM community. Mark was a bright young man who will be forever loved (and) sorely missed. #ForeverAKnight.”
STM principal Brian Daly previously told the Spectator the 16-year-old is remembered as a “great kid.” The school opened its doors for students to gather and find support following the tragedy and has shared funeral details with the school community.
Visitation is scheduled at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, 947 Rymal Rd. E., on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral mass is at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 20 Idlewood Ave., on Monday, July 10 at 10 a.m., followed by entombment at Resurrection Cemetery, in the Our Lady of Hope Mausoleum, 254 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster.
Nicole O’Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at the Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com
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