RIP – Mark Longair
Former fifteensquared blogger Mark Longair (mhl) died on Saturday January 10th.
Mark maintained his own blog and his last post was on January 3rd. See here. And here’s a Facebook announcement: https://www.facebook.com/mark.longair
Mark’s last blog on fifteensquared.
Thanks Ken for letting us know. Sad news, especially for his nearest and dearest. I really enjoyed mhl’s blogs. So eloquent in his darkest moments.
mhl was a blogger I encountered regularly in my earlier days on this site. And, both being Marks, the world occasionally mistook one of us for the other. Sorry to hear this and condolences to his family and friends.
This was desperate news. I had known Mark since he was about 8 years old and it was shocking to hear of his diagnosis when he was still so young. As well as being highly intelligent, he was charming and modest, a devoted husband and more recently a loving father to his young children. RIP, Mark
A brilliant guy. So sad to hear of his passing.
Very sad news. I had no idea he was ill
He had a list of cryptic abbreviations that I’ve referred to often, and added a little bit to over the years. I heard from him just ten days ago on that topic, and there was no sign
RIP 😞
How unutterably sad. I always enjoyed mhl’s blogs. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends, and to our crossword community on learning this very sad news.
Dreadful news.
I met mhl once, and what a good bloke. What a great blogger too. Commiserations to his wife and family, and friends. RIP.
I am so sorry to hear this news. I didn’t know Mark but I had a slight connection as his father was a professor when I was an undergraduate. Heartfelt condolences to all his family.
Desperately sad news.
Mark was one of the bloggers from the early days. I first met him and Jenny at our first Derby S and B in 2011 and several subsequent gatherings – they were great company.
Mark was one of the good guys – he wrote great blogs and enjoyed doing it. He first partially withdrew from blogging owing to work commitments, confining himself to monthly Prize blogs, then later gave up altogether, to give himself more time for his young family. I had no idea there was another reason.
Deepest condolences to Jenny and the children and all their family and friends.
RIP Mark
There are a number of tributes online from those who knew him in his “day job” too. Terribly terribly sad.
https://democracyclub.org.uk/blog/2026/01/15/remembering-mark-longair/
I was lectured by his father the year Mark was born
Such terrible news. He seemed like a great chap. My thoughts are with his family.