mivision’s Founding Editor, Mark Cushway, has passed away at the age of 62.
A loving husband, devoted father, a man of unwavering Christian faith, a talented writer and photographer, a successful businessman; Mark was our friend, and we miss him.
Mark approached life with authenticity and passion. He cared deeply, thought deeply and displayed a vulnerability that encouraged relationship. His enthusiasm – for an idea, for his art, for social justice, for music, for his community – was infectious and as much his trademark as his wide grin.
Mark was well known in the eye care community through mivision, and also through his subsequent work with Optometry Australia and Rodenstock. As a result, many of you will already know that at the time of his death, Mark was one of the oldest members of the cystic fibrosis (CF) community.
CF is a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. It is a cruel and chronic disease that slowly robbed him of breath.
Eight years ago – around the time he relinquished his part-ownership of mivision to his long-time business partner, Todd Tai – Mark received the life-saving gift of a lung transplant.
Last year, on the seventh anniversary of his new lungs, Mark reflected publicly on his good fortune.
“Every day I thank God for this second chance. I’ve been told it was surprising, nay, impossible, that being born in the 60s with cystic fibrosis, I was still alive in my 20s, 30s… and so on.
“Of the 3,500 living with cystic fibrosis in Australia only a handful are my age or over. With advances in science, that’ll change.
“I’ve been eulogised for making it this far, but I know it’s not about what I do. The bulk I put down to all my medical teams, a hell of a lot of luck, and divine intervention.”
This selfless gift of lungs allowed Mark to see his daughter finish high school and enter university, to travel, to see bands, to draft a book, to write a play… to live life to the full. He moved to Mudgee, in the central west of New South Wales – a town and community that gave him much joy.
But, in the end, it was not CF that robbed him of life, but a rare form of cancer.
Mark knew he was dying. He fought hard and held onto hope. He spent his final days surrounded by people he loved. He had the opportunity to say goodbye to his family and close friends. He was content that his time had come.
In a tribute to Mark posted on his social media account by his brother, Mark asked that he be remembered for one thing only, and that was the love he had for his wife and life partner, Leigh, and daughter, Em. He loved and cherished them both very, very much.
Mark is survived by Leigh and Em, his mother Helen, and brothers Richard and David.
Breathe freely, Mark. May you rest in peace.
With love from your family at mivision.
Mark’s Celebration of Life Details
16 December 2024
Mudgee Town Hall
Dress: Smart Casual and Colour. Mark has requested that those attending wear something colourful (if possible)
Time: 1-3pm
As this event is catered, we ask that you please RSVP by 11 December to Nikki at nikki@mivision.com.au.
For those unable to attend on Monday 16 December, the celebration of life will be a streamed through Mark Cushway’s Facebook page from 1:20pm
You can find out more about cystic fibrosis at cysticfibrosis.org.au. If you are interested in finding out more about organ donation visit: donatelife.gov.au.
