I’m so pleased he had so many friends in his life
RELATIVE OF POPULAR CITY MAN TELLS OF HIS DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD
NEW details of popular Mark Connelly’s mysterious life have emerged following his sudden death on the Bigg Market.
The Chronicle reported last week how Mark, who was a familiar face around Newcastle city centre, was pronounced dead after he collapsed on the Bigg Market, last Monday.
But despite having legions of friends in the pubs where he drank, the 50-year-old’s many pals knew little about his home life.
Since the tragedy, staff and customers at the Duke of Northumberland, where Mark was a regular, have been donating money to a collection set up for his family.
But today a distant relative, who had not seen Mark for almost 20 years, has told how he had lost contact with most of his relations.
And as the woman, who the Chronicle has agreed not to name, revealed details of Mark’s difficult childhood, she told of her relief at finding out how popular he was.
She said: “I am so pleased he had so many friends who loved him for who he was. He was a lovely kid, so loving. I’m so pleased he had friends who cared for him.”
Mark, who was also known as John and Joseph, was very popular among staff and regulars at the Rose and Crown, The Duke of Northumberland, The Beehive and other city bars.
Following his death, friends described him as a ‘larger than life character’ who was ‘always smiling.’
However, his relative has revealed how Mark’s childhood was tainted by tragedy.
She said he was brought up by his grandmother following the deaths of both of his parents, and lost contact with much of his family.
Allison Elliott knew Mark when he was a child and attended school with her brother.
She said he had suffered from learning difficulties.
“I have known him since he was a child, he went to school with my brother,” the 53-year-old, who knew Mark as Joseph, explained.
“He lost his parents when he was young and has a brother - as far as I know that’s the only relative.
“Joseph lived in Winlaton for a while and was a popular young lad, once working in Bleach Green Labour Club as a glass collector. He was really friendly and helpful.
“He was always a quiet kid, but I think as he got older he must have got more confident. His parents died when he was young.
“He was always smiling, even though he had such a tragic life.”
It is understood Mark, whose real name was John, had been out for a drink with a friend when he collapsed while walking from the Beehive to the Rose and Crown, at around 5.30pm last Monday.
Eyewitnesses said passing police officers attempted to revive him, but nothing could be done to save his life and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following his death, pub staff and customers paid tribute to Mark, who is thought to be from the Felling area of Gateshead
Mary McDaid, 45, from Fenham, who works behind the bar at The Duke of Northumberland, also known as The Clock, said: “He was in here nearly every day. Everybody knew him.
And Rose and Crown customer Bill Irwing, 75, from Benwell, said: “He was one of the city’s biggest characters without a doubt. He was very well liked.
“He was always happy. He will be a big miss.”
Joseph Chappell, manager at The Clock, has been trying to find out more about Mark’s background.
The 32-year-old said: “Everyone has been gutted. We have had people crying in here.
“We have had lots of customers donating money, there’s a few hundred pounds.
“I’m going to have to ring the police to find out if there is any family we can donate it to.
“But I think his friends were his family.”
Joseph said there had been a sombre atmosphere in his pub since Mark’s death.