Mark Anthony Francois, 39, of Coral Springs, FL passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.  He is survived by children Josiah, Nasir and Mariah, siblings: Shekima, Quana and Terry,(Kaylie),  his father,  Winston,  grandmother Gloria and  host of extended family and friends.

Born on March 25, 1981 in Brooklyn, NY to Olive Francois (deceased) and Winston Griffith, Mark embodied Black Excellence before the term was coined.  Growing up, his passion for sports led him to play football and baseball during his formative years in Coral Springs, FL, where the family relocated.  While in Coral Springs, Mark excelled in high school while attending Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and continued to surpass expectations at South Shore High School in Brooklyn, NY where he completed his diploma.

After high school, Mark began to forge his road into entrepreneurship by becoming an apprentice to his uncle, Andre (deceased), leading to his career as a barber.  Eager to master his newfound skills, he enrolled in cosmetology and business courses, while still under the tutelage of his uncle.  Mark built the blueprint to realize his dream of opening his own barbershop.  Shortly after, he returned to Coral Springs, he achieved his goal many times over, including the opening of Supreme Barbershop and New Balance Barbershop, cementing him as a pillar of his community.  Mark followed in the footsteps his mother, Olive – one of the first black-owned hair salons in Coral Springs and his uncle, Andre – his mentor and successful barbershop owner in Georgia – had set for him.  Their influence helped him serve as the heartbeat of Coral Springs, serving as his clients' stylist, therapist, coach and all of the significant roles barber's play in addition to making them look sharp.  It was inevitable that he would rapidly build a loyal clientele.

During his life, his peers admired him and saw him as the pacesetter that exemplified the rewards of hard work.  He naturally attracted the attention of everyone around him, leading to bountiful opportunities to engage with tastemakers, celebrities and people from all walks of life.  Mark championed anyone trying to make their dreams a reality by sharing the path he beat for himself.  Seen as a pioneering influencer, marketer and networker in Broward County, he branched out into his other passion: music.  His foray into the music industry led him to launch "GreenGate Marketing", providing a platform for emerging artists along with his business partners Shane Arnold, Kevin Hughes, Lamar Williams and Donny Flores.

While building his empire, Mark was heavily involved in the upbringing of his two kings and a queen.  A ubiquitous presence in their development, he ensured they were provided with and took advantage of every opportunity given to them. Exemplary of his hands-on parenting style, Mark coached his son's, Josiah, basketball team who went on to win the championship.   He was dedicated to creating a future for them where they would be able to achieve anything they wished to pursue.

Mark encapsulated greatness.  Any new aspirations he envisioned were being realized, daily.  His brilliance translated into his swagger. He could talk you out your socks and then sell it back to you!  Words do not do justice to explain the magnificence of Mark and the impact he made in the lives he touched and on this world. We will continue to honor his memory and keep him with us as the inspiration to live life to the fullest.

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