The Magic Castle in Hollywood is set to reopen at almost full strength on Friday the 13th following its unfortunate Halloween Day fire. But that good news has been more than negated by a jolt of bad news: The death of every member's friend, Mark Nelson. Mark had recently been the Chairman of the Castle Board of Trustees but that title doesn't even begin to describe his contribution to the Castle and the world of magic. Put simply, he was the guy who would help anyone with anything; who was always there to tackle any project and do the work that had to be done but no one else wanted to do it. He was a fine performer with an all-encompassing knowledge of stagecraft and performing…but he was also there to help anyone else with their acts.
He was in a sense, the voice of the Magic Castle. He had a great professional announcer voice and I once directed him in an animation project. And it was Mark's recorded voice you heard when you called the Castle for reservations or information. (I believe he replaced the great Harry Blackstone Jr. when that fine gentleman passed.)
I have not heard what the cause of death was. Mark had so many ailments and illnesses in recent years that it could have been any of at least a dozen things. He had not been heard from in many days and that was so unlike Mark – to not show up to do his duties – that a friend drove to his home to investigate. Finding several days of newspapers piled up outside, she phoned his family in San Francisco and they in turn phoned 911. When police arrived at Mark's home here, they broke in and found him. He had apparently been dead for several days.
I can't think of anyone who didn't like the guy. I can't even think of any reason why anyone might not like the guy. He was about as friendly and generous a human being as anyone I've ever met, always willing to help anyone. (I joined the Castle as an Associate – i.e., non-magician – Member. It was Mark who sponsored me for elevation to full Magician status.) What a shame to lose a guy like that.