Mark Andrew Ganter

Mark Andrew Ganter was born at the Ukiah General Hospital on May 29, 1962 to Moose (Albert R., Jr.) and Beth Ganter. He was a surprise arrival to his parents and his much older siblings. In fact, his oldest sister was off to college. She had to take a leave of absence to come home to care for him and her mother in order for them to be released from the hospital.

Mark started his life in a wonderful family neighborhood called Vinewood Village on Oak Street. He was everyone’s baby boy and when old enough he toddled the neighborhood visiting different homes who always had a treat for him. One morning he saw beautiful tulips growing in one yard. He picked every one of the tulips and then presented the bouquet to this neighbor. She later said she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry since she had planted the tulips to beautify her yard.

Born with a lack of coordination, Mark never played sports or was able to drive. However, he more than made up for this disability through academics. By kindergarten he had memorized everything about dinosaurs including their scientific names. His favorite books to read were National Geographic’s childrens books. Best-loved activities outside of school were cultural visits to museums, academies and special multicultural exhibits. He was a history buff and watched old movies as a hobby.

In high school he loved drama and art classes. Mark in his sophomore year won the Mendocino County Board of Realtors speech contest with the topic “Land, Right to Buy and Sell”. In student leadership he was selected to represent Ukiahi at the American Legion sponsored Boys State. After graduating from high school in 1980 he headed to San Francisco for his adult life.

In San Francisco Mark worked for the Castro Theatre for many, many years in various capacities. It is a historic movie palace in the Castro District built in 1922 and is designated #100 of historic landmarks in the City. It was perfect for Mark. The Castro Theatre hosted historic movies, film festivals, and special events. Many of which Mark had to plan and execute. It has also been the site for many gala tributes to Hollywood stars. The Gus Van Sant biopic Milk was a movie about the life and times of Harvey Milk, the San Francisco city Supervisor who was California's first openly gay elected official. Its world premiere was held at the theatre in November 2008. Milk was portrayed by actor Sean Penn, who won an Academy Award for his performance. Mark was the personal greeter to all those stars through his many years at the theatre.

Mark returned to Ukiah recently due to series health issues and passed away at his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Moose and Beth Ganter, sister Nancy Lee Humphrey and nephew David Howard. He is survived by brother Buck Ganter and wife Barbara; sister Carre Brown and husband Lewis; seven nieces and nephews and eleven grand nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one God child who he dearly loved and many close friends.

A celebration of life is pending. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Historical Society of Mendocino County or Plowshares of Ukiah.