Marc Reed Pessin

“A hui kaua, malama pono e mana’o nahenahe ” “Until we meet again, take care and sweet dreams” Marc Pessin passed away on March 15, 2018, in Hillsboro, Oregon, after a long illness. He was 71. He is survived by his wife Denese Pessin of Scappoose, Oregon, his sons Gavin Reed Io’Kepa and Garrett Andrew Io’Ane of Hawaii, and his stepchildren Cindy Flores, Aiesha Rider, Eric Morrill (deceased), and Marshall Morrill of Oregon. Marc was born on August 10th, 1946, in Vancouver, Washington. Shortly after, his family moved to Long Beach, California where Marc grew to adulthood. In Southern California Marc developed a love of the ocean. It was there too that he became an avid motorcycle enthusiast. Both loves stayed with him for the rest of his life. In his late 20’s he moved to Oahu, Hawaii, and married his first wife Kerry Jenkins. Together they had two sons, Gavin (Kepa) and Garrett (Ane). In 1980 Marc moved to Winston, Oregon. There he began working passionately on behalf of individuals with intellectual disabilities.He served as a residential manager in both Douglas and Washington counties. Later, Marc worked as a case manager with the Washington County Developmental Disabilities Program, in Hillsboro, Oregon, and he retired after 13 years. Marc’s caring and compassion were traits felt by all who knew him. Marc was well respected, and well loved, by those he worked with and by those he served. A very spiritual man, Marc was passionate about nature, the environment, and animals. His love of animals led him to work at Sea Life Park, a marine mammal, bird sanctuary, and aquarium, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. After moving to Oregon Marc again worked with animals at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. During Marc’s time at Washington County he met, and fell in love with, Denese Morrill (Pessin). The two married and lived in their rural home in Scappoose, Oregon. This was always Marc’s dream; living in nature, by a creek, in the woods. Marc and Denese felt blessed to blend their two families. Together the two shared 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Marc and Denese took many amazing journeys together. They travelled all over Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, California, Washington, and Canada. Many of their adventures took place on the back of Marc’s beloved Harley Davidson. No mere words can sum up the life and meaning of any human being. Marc was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He believed in living simply, doing no harm, and loving people for who they were. He was a very gentle, kind, soul who will be horribly missed. A celebration of life for Marc will be determined at a later date.