By Peter Vankevich
All it took was a Christmas gift from his wife to spark a lasting passion in the late Mark Justice, this year’s featured carver at the Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival.
Produced by the Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild, this year’s event was held April 11 & 12 in the Ocracoke School.
While many of Mark’s decoys were on display, none were for sale, except for his chosen Canvasback carving, which was raffled off at the festival’s conclusion.
Mark was known for his dedication and love for the community and his warm, giving spirit. Sadly, he died on October 15 last year.
Born in Baltimore in 1954, Mark moved to Norfolk as a young boy when his father took a job at the shipyards. In the early 1980s, he found his way to Ocracoke, where he met Sharon O’Neal.
They married in 1986, beginning a lifelong partnership. Sharon, a talented nature artist, is the sister of former festival-featured carvers Dave and Vince O’Neal.
Given his close ties to the talented O’Neal carvers, it’s no wonder he took up the art, expanding his repertoire to include various bird species.
A visit to her home on Cedar Road revealed the depth of Mark’s carving passion. His workshop overflows with wood, tools, and works in progress, while the rest of the house displays shelves filled with his work.
“I got him interested by giving him a carving kit as a Christmas gift,” Sharon recalled. His first piece—a small plain-looking duck— was the spark.
A quick learner, Mark soon mastered both intricate carving and the meticulous painting required to bring the decoys to life.
In 2001, his Brant decoy earned him both first prize and first in show at the Core Sound Decoy Festival.
Over the years, he also became an avid collector of historical and artistic pieces. His own carvings capture the beauty of Outer Banks wildlife, from local ducks and shorebirds to larger species such as the Great Blue Heron and White Ibis.
One of his most remarkable works—a life-sized, intricately detailed Great Horned Owl—remains unfinished – 90% complete and still unpainted, according to Sharon.
Mark’s exceptional carpentry and woodworking skills were well known and sought-after by islanders looking to improve their homes.
Not a hunter, Mark enjoyed observing the waterfowl that graced the island’s waters. He loved nature and it was a common sight to see his black truck in the early mornings riding along the beach or checking out the creeks. He particularly loved seeing the two rare Snowy Owls gracing the dunes during the winter of 2014.
Mark’s intellectual curiosity extended far beyond his woodworking skills. He had a keen interest in medicine and astronomy, both of which he explored passionately. Ocracoke’s dark skies provided the perfect backdrop for his stargazing pursuits.
But it was Mark’s dedication to public service that truly defined him. In 2016, the Ocracoke Observer profiled his many contributions to the community.
For years, he served as assistant chief of the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) and was the department’s first medical responder. No matter the hour, Mark could be found assisting EMS crews or preparing the airport’s landing zone when medevac helicopters were needed to transport patients to Greenville.
“When you take the firemen’s Call of Duty pledge, you have to be responsible,” he once said.
In addition to his volunteer work, Mark was a successful business owner.
He ran the Fudge and Ice Cream Shop in Community Square and personally baked cupcakes in the early morning hours and made the shop’s signature fudge in a variety of flavors.
Mark was also known for his playful side. He and his identical twin brother were notorious for swapping identities as a lighthearted prank, delighting those who knew them.
At this year’s festival, Sharon also displayed and sold her artwork.
