Mark Wesley Friedrich

Mark Wesley Friedrich, 46 of Raleigh passed away the morning of October 28, 2015 with his wife Johana Andrea Madrid and his mother Doris Friedrich at his side. He graduated from North Carolina State University in August of 1996 with a Bachelors of Art in Multidisciplinary Studies and BA in History and in December of 1996 with a B.S. in Environmental Archeology. Mark was a warrior and he fought for his life until the last minute. He lost his life after a long battle with a bone marrow transplant. Mark accepted his illness with grace, dignity and humbleness and used his condition to lift others with similar circumstances up. Mark loved life, adventure, History, music, literature, cars and learning about other cultures. He traveled around the world and adopted the best from each culture to live a very inspiring and meaningful life. Those who met Mark could always see a smile on his face and could count on his kindness and unconditional love and friendship. He loved making people laugh and knew how to embrace people of all backgrounds and cultures. Mark married Johana Andrea Madrid January 14, 2011 in Calarca’-Quindio-Colombia and they lived together in Chapel Hill until Mark’s death. Mark’s hobbies were fishing, race cars, dogs, meditation, fitness, reading and photography and gardening. He is survived by his wife, Johana Andrea Madrid; mother, Doris Friedrich of Raleigh; sister and niece, Donna & Haydon Watkins of Fuquay-Varina; brother & sister-in-law, Carl & Bonnie Friedrich of Coon Rapids, MN; uncle & aunt Paul & Judy Friedrich of Camano Island, WA; father-in-law, Gilberto Madrid Parra; mother-in-law, A. Nelly Valenua Guarin; aunts-in-law, Lida Valencia Guarin & Isabel Cristina Madrid; sister-in-law, Angelica Flora Triana; and his dog Mavy. He was preceded in death by his father, R. Wayne Friedrich; his brother-in-law, Clay Watkins; grandfather-in-law, Jose Sacramento Madrid; brother-in-law, Hector Triana Sanchaz. A Memorial service celebrating Marks life will be held Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 27604, with a reception following the services at Bryan-Lee. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Mark’s memory.