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Mark Fanning
1946 - 2022
Bar Mills, Maine - Mark Fanning, age 76, a Master Falconer, awarded educator, Registered Nurse, outdoorsman, biologist, former NAFA Board member, teacher of the year multiple years, a founding “out of state” member of The Massachusetts Falconry and Hawk Trust, grouse hawker, a Goshawk whisperer, and mentor to many passed away unexpectedly in Virginia on November 19, 2022 is survived by his wife, Cindy, and hunting companion, “Star”.
Mark Fanning was just 10 years old when he started raising wild black birds, jays and crows, when he came across a 1920 National Geographic article about falconry, his passion for the ancient sport took hold.
By the time he was 13, Mark was training his first hunting hawk. Over the next six decades, Mark’s life focused on falconry, teaching, his family and living off the land. As a retired science teacher and master falconer, he was known for his expansive knowledge and leading the push to legalize falconry in Maine in the early 1970s, eagerly sharing his knowledge about the outdoors with his students and friends.
Mark Fanning was known as “the godfather” of falconry in Maine, according to the State of Maine. (See State Legislative Proclamation) “Falconry was his life and he lived and breathed it” according to all who knew him.
Mark’s interest in both insects and birds began in the 1950s and 1960s, he wrote in a short autobiography. He was living in Washington State when he trained his first red tailed hawk named, “War Hatchet”. He released the bird back to the wild when his family moved to the East Coast to be near the home port of the ship his father captained.
Mark made the decision in 1968 to become a falconer living in Maine. He gathered the equipment needed, along with a few National Geographic magazines and an early 19th-century falconry book. Over the next few years, he sought out other falconers in the North East and he trapped and trained several hawks and falcons.
In 1972 Mark Fanning began advocating for the state legislature to legalize falconry in Maine. On April 13, 1973 falconry became a legal means of hunting small game in Maine. Mark also worked to extend the waterfowl hunting season for falconers in Maine. During this time he worked a summer as a hack set attendant for the Peregrine Fund of Cornell University to help bring back the peregrine falcon population in Maine.
Mark held the first falconry license ever issued in Maine, numbered 001, and he was a mentor to many involved in the sport in Maine and across the county. He took on many apprentices over the years, some have gone on to sponsor other apprentices. His wife, Cindy, is also an accomplished Master Falconer. One of Mark's greatest accomplishments as a falconer was to hunt the salt marshes of Maine with his falcons, which had never been done.
“He was the one who got it all started,” said Larry Barnes. “ Mark really perfected flying salt marshes. Other falconers would come up from other East Coast states to experience and learn how to hunt ducks in the salt marshes.”
Mark was a constant teacher, even while holding his falcon near the edge of a frozen salt marsh talking to people who would stop and watch. Mark would always go into a teaching mode, educating them on the sport and the birds. He was so knowledgeable and engaging. Mark taught science at Bonny Eagle Middle and High Schools for more than 30 years, and was recognized as the teacher of the year several times.
While still teaching, he took night classes to become a licensed registered nurse. He worked at a head trauma center in Kennebunk until he retired a few years ago. His students at Bonny Eagle said going to Mr. Fanning’s class was like going to Hogwarts, the fictional boarding school from “Harry Potter '' according to former student Shauna Larrabee. “He’s a local legend, '' Larrabee said, who still has two butterfly awards she earned in his class. Cory Hamilton said “Mark always made sure every kid got the kind of teaching they needed.
Though he was best known for his affection for falconry, Mark's interests went far beyond the sport. Mark collected books, butterflies, art, he loved antiques and was extremely kindhearted. (Portland Press Herald 11/22/2022)
Before internet falconry equipment was widely available Mark began developing patterns and making his own custom falconry gloves and falcon hoods for his birds that he willingly shared with other falconers.
Testimonials for Mark Fanning:
“Mark has been a dear friend of mine for about 50 years. We’ve known each other throughout our previous marriages and careers and always stayed close. I, along with many others, will always claim him as my “best friend”.
Mark Fanning was one of Maine’s first Master Falconers, he was an outstanding educator, naturalist, gardener, hunter, fisherman, lobsterman, craftsman, and a master chef. Mark and Cindy were a perfectly matched pair that always brought joy to my wife and I for our adventures in Maine and Texas.
Mark’s death was a loss of tragic portions. He leaves a major void in our lives that will never be filled by the likes of another. God speed Mark…. May the road always rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, ….. May God always hold you in His hand - you lived well and were a good man and friend to all.”
-Bill Satterfield, DVM, Elgin Texas
“I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. He was undoubtedly the best salt marsh duck hawker with both goshawks and falcons. An icon of the sport and huge influence on my hawking of the salt marsh. I also spent some time at their place in Maine we called the House of Duck. His trophy room was one of the most spectacular places to celebrate a days hunt. This was accompanied with an amazing spread of Hors D'oeuvres. Followed by an amazing gourmet dinner of wild game. Usually Duck but also seafood. Both he and Cindy were the best hosts. My heart goes out to Cindy and her loss. My heart also to all of the friends and falconers that Mark infused with his knowledge and enthusiasm.”
-John Gilbert
“You have that teacher that makes learning fun ...I hated science in elementary school but I was fortunate to have this man twice ...I couldn't wait to go into his class no matter how bad of day you were having ...he seemed to turn it around and middle and highschool was rough for me but him throwing Josh Wilson out on a regular basis or telling stories of personal experiences made my day ..to hear
his passing leaves a sadness in my heart but ik he made a difference in many of our lives and that's a teacher it's the little extra in a large school that we had and you didn't feel like another number being pushed through the system. RIP my man fly high with your "falcons"’
-Mark McLaughlin
“Mark was a falconer and long time friend. We first met when I lived in New York way back in the early 70s. Later, when we moved to Connecticut, he and Scott Ken iston would drive down to hunt with us in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. Occasionally we would also get together at an upstate falconry meet in New York. Always a serious hawker, Mark put in the time and effort to get it right. I always enjoyed his and Cindy’s hospitality when staying with them at their home, or when they hosted a club picnic. A tragic loss for all of. But, particularly for his best friend, hawking partner and wife, Cindy!”
-Bill Johnston
“I’ll miss him! A true friend and mentor both in perfect balance. Although opposites in most ways, our time together was always complimentary. Easy describes it …..how it should be amongst close friends.
He and Cindy continuously inspired me to extract the most from every experience. From the field to the kitchen, they mastered their lifestyle of choice. The Sporting life was theirs by choice. They lived it.
Second to none as Gamehawkers in the sport of falconry and culinary artists in the kitchen, they honored their quarry both in the field and at the table, and in the field they were a single unit. Both reading each other's movements and that of the falcon in a way that defined poetry in motion! With Falconry as their canvas they painted in real life….They spoke in cursive I think ...Those memories are fresh and will endure whenever I take to the field.
I’ll honor his memory by continuing to live as he did. He’ll be with me whenever I cast a falcon into the wind..
I’m reminded of a quote….
“Tell me how he died……
No….I will tell you how he lived!!”’
David Liepe, Mays Landing, N.J.
Mark Fanning remembered as the “Godfather of Falconry in Maine” - Portland Press Herald(11/23/2022)
Donors: Cory and Danelle Hamilton, Massachusetts Falconry and Hawk Trust, John Gilbert, Stephan Hamilton, David Liepe, Ben Gayler, Jon Farr, Dana Dodge, Jennifer Trussell, Erin Martinez, Dr. Bill and Laurie Satterfield
