Village Bagpiper Mark McDonnell Dies At Age 37

A lone piper stands on the top of a hill.

The swirl of the bagpipes fills the air.

Slowly he turns and walks away.

He disappears from view.

The music stays.

* * *

This is the story of Mark McDonnell who died last week.

Mark struggled to get to the top of that hill.

He began playing the bagpipes at the age of 14 inspired by music by the Police Pipe Band at the Mt. Prospect Library.

He always said, "With a name like McDonnell, what else would I be?

He vowed then to become a member of the noted Shannon Rovers.

The Rovers were one of the only two bagpipe bands to play at the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.

Mark went to Scotland, lived there to study and upon his return to the U.S. became a member of the Shannon Rovers.

"I can't remember playing at as many as 24 places on one St. Patrick's Day," he recalled in an earlier interview.

Mark appeared in more than 100 International and National Competitions. Then tragedy struck.

He was striken with brain cancer. The surgery left him unable to remember or have total recall of anything but his music. This experience made him dedicate himself to being a piper and teaching others.

In 1991 he began his teaching here. As coordinator of the Glengael Piper Band he established a school for pipers at South Church and classes at the Mt. Prospect Park District. Mark was a willing musician. He never refused to play even when asked on the spur of the moment. He played for weddings, funerals and at special events. His pipes heralded the Mt. Prospect Historical Society's 25th anniversary announced at the Village Board meeting. Again he played for my last birthday party where he honored the Macdonald clan for then Senator Virginia Macdonald. For me he played "Amazing Grace."

He organized marching in the Fourth of July Parade and appeared spontaneously at South Church and other organizations giving the history of his music.

His school was advancing. Adults and children took classes. Again there was brain surgery. The long fight to normalcy again fought. His ever-present music spurred him on.

Chemotherapy followed but this time he lost the fight. He died at the age of 37.

His funeral has been reported as one long to be remembered with 600 mourners and hundreds of pipers sending him on to the strains of "Going Home."

To perpetuate his music the family has established an education scholarship for student pipers. For information call 253-0168.

Good-bye Mark. You brought your happy music to many people and you will be missed. Your music will be remembered.