Massachusetts Hockey mourns loss of one of it's favorite sons,.. Shock and dismay do not adequately describe the feeling when word came of the loss of one of most loved members of this great hockey community,.. Mark Bavis, Roslindale, MA.

The hijacking of United Airlines 175 and subsequent attack on WTC has stunned the world, but Massachusetts Hockey Nation is particularly and personally mortified. We have lost one of our own to this senseless and cowardly act of terrorism.

Director/Coach Mark Bavis, Massachusetts Hockey Satellite Program was heading west for the L. A. Kings training camp as Mark had joined their scouting staff just last year. Mark, like his twin brother, Mike started their hockey careers playing for Hyde Park Youth Hockey where they were known and respected for their character as well as their talent.

Mark Bavis, 31, played for Catholic Memorial and Cushing Academy before going on to Boston University in the fall of 1989. At Boston University, Bavis, along with his twin brother, Mike, played in four straight NCAA Final Fours. In 1989, Mark was drafted by the NY Rangers in the 9th round and went on to play several seasons of minor pro hockey. From 1997-99 Mark was an assistant at Harvard University. In 1999-2000, Bavis was an assistant with the Chicago Freeze (NAHL).

Personal Note:
Buzzards Bay, Ma.; The Bavis Brothers maiden cruise. 1993 Mass Maritime Academy, the former summer home of the Massachusetts Hockey In-State Camp. As a camp councilor, one of my duties was bed checks. Making sure that all the boy's were safely tucked in for the night.  While walking the second of three floors I heard a commotion coming from the third floor. I rushed up the flight of stairs to find the head councilor engaged with two boys, questioning them as to why at 12:00 am they were not in bed. I interrupted the head councilor who was standing blurry eyed in his underwear and wearing hat. I assured him that they were staff members, just arriving. After a good laugh I escorted the Bavis brothers to their rooms. Mark & Mike have been deeply involved with Massachusetts Hockey since that time. This is a fond memory of Mark and his twin brother Mike I shall treasure always.

Wednesday, Sept 19th

Memorial Mass
Sacred Heart Parish

Part of the Eulogy given by twin brother Mike Bavis
Taken from exurbs - USA Hockey Report - Chris Warner

Mike spoke of how his brother had begun to practice his religious faith much more in recent years, and, as well, had begun to lay the groundwork for applying to law school.
Recently, Mike became a father. "Nothing," he said, "was like the day I saw my brother holding my son, Jack."
"We had an unspoken love. We spent so much time together. I knew how he felt and he knew how I felt."
As for the tragic events of last Tuesday, Mike spoke of Ace Bailey, saying, "It makes me feel good that my brother was with Ace." He added that, "We need courage to face what happened, as a family and as a country. We need to return to life as it was on September 10th."
"I'm going to be out there again. And I'm going to be flying by plane... trying to figure out a way to beat BC.
"In no way am I going to let the people involved in this think they got me twice."

GARNET "ACE" BAILEY, 53, former Boston Bruin of Lynnfield, Mass., was director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings ice hockey team. Bailey was entering his 32nd season as a player or scout in the NHL and his eighth as the director of pro scouting for the Kings. He was traveling on board United Airlines Flight 175. He spent the previous 13 years as a scout with the Edmonton Oilers, who won five Stanley Cups during that time. Bailey is survived by his wife, Katherine, and son, Todd. Mark & Ace were traveling together.