Obituary: Tribute to popular Romsey man Mark Edgerley

He was born on May 23 1952 to Morris and Joan Edgerley in Yeovil, Somerset. 

One of Mark’s first passions was scouting, he was scout and cub leader and a member of the leader training team and part of the National Cub Scout Board. Through scouting, he met Mandy in 1973, getting married in 1975 and then spending the first five years of marriage in Bath. 

Mark started working at Ordnance Survey in 1969 at age 17. He trained initially as a cartographer, progressing his way through different roles to become regional manager for digital sales. Over a 28-year career he made many friends, many of whom he remained in regular contact with. 

Mark and Mandy moved to Romsey in 1980. They started a family with Claire (1982), Zoe (1983) and Jack (1986), all going to school at Halterworth and then Mountbatten. After his children left Mountbatten, Mark joined the governors, taking a proactive role in supporting the school, being a governor for nearly 20 years. 

READ MORE: Mark Edgerley: Tributes flood in after death man dubbed 'Mr Romsey'

Mark left the Ordnance Survey in 1997, working briefly for Enghouse before becoming CEO of Marwell Zoo in 2000. He had been a member of the Marwell Zoological Society since the early 1980s, he always had a passion for wildlife so was a cause close to his heart. 

In 2004 Mark became CEO of the Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF), a charity majoring in the conservation of big cats. Mark made a positive impact on the staff and volunteers he worked with, many of whom have shared the significant positive impact he had on their lives. 
Mark left WHF in 2010 when the first of his grandchildren was due. He went on to have six grandchildren; Isobel (2010), Charlotte (2012), Oscar (2014), Matilda (2015), Jacob (2017) and Louie (2020). He was a beloved grandad, having a significant influence on all their lives. 

In 2010 Mark started working at the Hampshire Council of Voluntary Services and then was the charity manager at Equip. 

In March 2014 Mark took on the role of Romsey town centre manager. Mark always wanted to support the local community, including being a local Dial-A-Ride volunteer driver. Being a town manager allowed Mark to follow this passion as well as make many friends across the local community, who have again shared very kind words since his passing. Mark was involved in many different causes across Romsey including; Romsey Festival, Romsey Futures and the annual Beggars Fair. 
Mark is survived by his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his mother and siblings (Karen and Martyn). He will be dearly missed. 

The funeral is at 1pm on Wednesday, March 6 and this is now a private family service. We truly appreciate so many wishing to pay their respects and have arranged for the ceremony to be streamed as alternative option; website - https://watch.obitus.com, username - sedo5222, password - 662441. 

Donations may be made to; Hampshire Air Ambulance or Hawk Conservancy via markedgerley.muchloved.com/. 

Mark's family is grateful and very comforted by the very kind words of condolence we have received from his friends, former colleagues and the Romsey community.