Fireworks illuminated the Forest, Ohio, skyline on Christmas Eve.

It was the birthday gift Mark Gillfillan always wanted. And after years of begging, his parents Rick and Christa finally obliged.

About 40 friends and family celebrated the occasion at Mark’s grandparents’ house. Hundreds more parked their cars and watched the explosives blast into the night sky from the roads.

The only problem was Mark wasn’t there.

His loved ones weren’t celebrating. Instead of a party, Mark’s parents dedicated the display in his memory.

Mark, a rising junior at the University, died July 1 in an automobile accident two miles north of his hometown, about 50 miles south of Bowling Green.

After his third shift ended at the Consolidated Biscuit Factory in McComb, Ohio, Mark fell asleep while driving at 6:50 a.m. His car traveled left of center as a tractor trailer approached him.

Mark tried to veer out of the way by swerving right, but Coca-Cola driver Joseph Schnarre turned in the same direction. They collided, forcing both vehicles and passengers to crash in a field west of (state Route) Ohio 37.

A 2-foot-high white cross marks the spot of the accident.

Next week, another memorial commemorating Mark’s legacy will be declared.

The College of Education and Human Development will announce the winner of the Mark Gillfillan Memorial Scholarship, recognizing the achievements he accomplished in his two years at the University as an English major.

“It’s always a privilege to receive a scholarship, but even more so when it’s in memory of somebody to honor their spirit for their family,” said Sara Zulch-Smith, assistant to the dean and coordinator for scholarships in the college. “It helps the family keep their loved one’s spirit here.”

Mark’s parents wanted to ensure his name would continue to be associated with the University in some way. But they will always remember the memories they had with their 20-year-old son.

The fateful events of the day he died will forever be seared in their memories.

Mark’s dad, Rick, recalls his last moments with his son.

In his final words to his father, Mark said, “love you, Dad. See you later.”

“I think about that almost every day … that will come true someday,” Rick said. “Just those words are enough to motivate me to go tomorrow.”

Sarah Deringer, Mark’s sister, was the first in the family to hear about the accident.

A friend of hers called that morning with details about a 2000 silver Pontiac involved in a wreck  – just like Mark’s car.

“I like to tell myself in the beginning that it would get easier, and maybe it will get easy over time, but it hasn’t gotten any easier yet,” Deringer said in March. “He was more than a brother — he was a friend, too.”

Clark-Shields Funeral Home hosted a memorial service five days after the accident. A standing-room only crowd packed the congregation and filled the hallways.

Aaron Clark, owner of the funeral home, said it was one of the most highly attended services because the Gillfillans and Mark were “well-respected and well-liked.”

Sophomore Shawn Gilbert remembers Mark for his wackiness.

Instead of turning on the air conditioning in Mark’s warmer-than-usual home, Gilbert’s best friend would strip down to his skivvies while watching television.

Mark was also fearless.

Mark dared Gilbert to take his skateboard and ride down a steep hill. After Gilbert declined, Mark stole the board, hopped on and wheeled down. Unfortunately, Mark fell down and broke the board only a few feet into the ride.

The board was a present for Gilbert from Mark’s family, yet it was the memory that was the true gift.

“Mark was the guy for everyone everywhere. He was passionate about what he did. Always,” Gilbert said. “Even if you didn’t know him, he would make you feel like you were friends forever.”

Mark also helped Gilbert get through a rough time in his life.

Gilbert was depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend of five years. Gilbert wrote a message on his Facebook wall stating, “Nice guys finish last.”

Mark replied back: “Nice guys may finish last, but the best guys are never finished.”

The quote is still on Mark’s wall.

“When times got tough, I talked to Mark because he just makes you feel better,” Gilbert said.

Steve Umphress, minister of the Blanchard River Church of Christ, said Mark had a different perspective on life even as a young boy. When trying to prove a lesson about the importance of the sun and Christians staying in the light of Jesus, the minister used his cat as an analogy.

When he asked the children why his cat liked laying in the sun, Mark replied, “So, it can get a suntan.”

“Mark was able to bring a perspective to things which were serious as well as things that were utterly ridiculous,” Umphress said. “He was without duplicity. He said what he thought and that is where it stood, and we all knew him and accepted him and admired him for that.”

Mark actively practiced a Christian lifestyle. He voluntarily worshipped in church, played drums in the Christian band/volunteer organization Children of the Light and coordinated a vacation bible study program before he died.

“There are a lot of tragedies in life and Mark’s death is one of the biggest,” Umphress said. “When someone is younger and you want someone to follow the right way to live life, Mark is a good example of how one should live their life, dedicating to others.”

About 40 members from Sigma Nu Fraternity attended his funeral.

Frank Mancuso, senior, Sigma Nu alumni relations chairman, said Mark kept a personal relationship with each brother, determined to form a bond with everyone.

“He took the time to get to know every one of us and have that unique friendship with every single one of us,” Mancuso said. “It was almost like [him] having 20-something best friends because of the way he influenced every single one of us.”

Mark’s biggest contribution to the fraternity was relaunching a bike-a-thon philanthropy. In 2008, Mark organized, developed and ran the charity event. Brothers pedaled 24 hours for seven consecutive days to raise money for United Service Organizations troops.

After Mark died, Mancuso said it was only right that all proceeds raised would be donated to his scholarship and the bike-a-thon be renamed in his memory. Sigma Nu unanimously voted for the change.

“We are supporting something that hit home. This was someone that was walking on our campus not so long ago and now he is tragically gone,” Mancuso said. “I feel like the decision was easy to make.”

Mark also wanted to influence others by teaching. He aspired to become an English literature teacher.

At 4 years old, Mark escaped to a tree house, stretched in a burlap-sac hammock and explored a world inside of a book. His favorites included the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Mark wanted to share his love of books and extend his knowledge of the written word. He also wanted to help those in the greatest need.

Mark was involved in Partners in Context and Community — a Kohl Hall learning community that specializes in urban education — and taught English at Woodward High School in Toledo.

Christa said Mark wanted to teach where, he believed, students needed a positive role model in their lives. He wanted to help students in the inner-city school districts.

“In his mind, he said, ‘I want to be able to make a difference. I want to make a difference in the lives of kids. I want them to know that they can become something, they can make something of their lives,'” she said.

Losing their only son still hurts Christa and Rick nearly a year later. Thanks to a strong faith, Mark’s parents know where he is. One day, they hope to be reunited with their son.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, we know where Mark is,” Christa said. “We know where he is. We know that he’s safe and we know that it’s a much better place than here.”