Mark Laderwarg

>Born on December 7, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York
Departed on August 29, 2021 in Melbourne, Florida

Mark Laderwarg, long-standing member of the community, passed away from COVID-19 on August 29th. Mark was a beloved father, brother, son, friend, teacher, martial artist, and leader whose passing has deeply affected many.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Mark moved to Melbourne in 1974. He served the Melbourne Police Department for 30 years and retired as a Commander in 2008. Outside his life as a civil servant, Mark was a black belt and created the Mushinoto-ryu Jiujitsu system. He practiced and taught martial arts for over 40 years. After retirement, Mark taught martial arts and defense tactics at Florida Institute of Technology and the Palm Bay Rec Center. Mark was also the committee chairman for the Space Coast Friends of the NRA.

Mark is survived by his two children and two cats. The family regrets, due to COVID concerns, only a small private service will be held in-person. However, the service will be live streamed for additional guests, and an outdoor “Life Tribute” event will be held in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider honoring Mark’s memory by donating to Temple Beth Shalom.

Temple Beth Shalom

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Cassandra Wyzik from Satellite Beach
September 11, 2021
I always wanted to do martial arts growing up, but never had the chance. When I was 26, newly divorced, a single parent to a toddler, and working at the Ted Whitlock Community Center to get by, in walked Mark Laderwarg to give a demonstration of Mushinoto-Ryu Jujutsu. He walked up to the counter and was so cool, so kind, so confident, and such an obvious badass. I was instantly enraptured and the first student to sign up. For the next year, I saved up my lunch breaks to take his class every chance I got. When I left that job, I drove an hour or more one way to continue attending as much as I could for the next five years. I assisted in teaching his self-defense class at FIT and volunteered at the NRA banquet. I took any chance I could to be in sensei's orbit. Unfortunately, my parenting duties took me away from his dojo almost 4 years ago, though I always planned to go back. I can't tell you how much learning from him over those 6 years meant to me. He gave me a focused purpose when I needed one most, self-esteem and confidence, a strong community to be part of, and a helping hand or a smack on the head from time to time, depending on the occasion. He was the best sensei anyone could have asked for. I wish I could more adequately express the love, admiration, and respect I had for sensei, but words seem so weak in comparison to how I feel. I'm forever changed by him, forever grateful to him, and will do my best to live the path he helped me forge. Thank you to his family for sharing him with me and with all of us. I hope that in time our broken hearts will be mended, as in kintsugi, with the happy memories and love Mark gave to us all 💛
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