Mark Robinette.Photo:Mark Robinette/Facebook
Mark Robinette/Facebook
A pastor whodied in a house firein Ohio last week after saving his wife and two of his children is being remembered for his big heart.
The deadly fire broke out at the home on Ballah Road in Orient on Jan. 23, killing three males ages 55, 17 and 10, according to theOhio Department of Commerce.
Haley McGuire later identified the victims onFacebookas Pastor Mark Robinette, her cousin, and his sons Gideon, 17, and Liam, 10. She said Mark was found holding his two sons when their bodies were discovered.
Julie Trapani, the pastor’s sister-in-law, tells PEOPLE many family members have been leaning on their faith as they cope with the sudden loss of three incredible individuals. “Our faith is everything,” Trapani adds.
Mark founded the Foundation Church in 2000 in Mt. Sterling and was with the ministry for over 20 years, according to the church’swebsite.
The late pastor was an adventurous individual who yearned to help others, according to his sister-in-law. He aimed to help those who many “would ignore" and “never knew a closed door.”
“He always greeted you with a hug every time,” Trapani says. “He was so, so loving.”
While celebrating Christmas this past year, Trapani says Mark mentioned “how thankful he was” that some of the people he was helping “made some little positive step toward doing right.”
Trapani tells PEOPLE that Mark was also an amazing storyteller and simply enjoyed talking with others. “It’s hard to go places with Mark because Mark has a conversation with whoever he’s with,” she says.
At the pastor’s funeral, Trapani shares that Mark’s surviving children vowed to “continue what our daddy started,” adding, “What his dream was will not end." Mark’s wife, Andrea, sang “every song, the hymns, because that’s just the way she is,” Trapani shares. “She knows this with God that she can get through this.”
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Liam, who was adopted, was a storyteller and enjoyed writing special letters to his grandmother, Trapani explains.
Julie Trapini
“He was just really tender,” Trapani recalls. “He was just very, very tender, just a special, special little guy.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly $250,000 has been raised viaGoFundMefor the late pastor’s family.
“Everyone has been so gracious,” Trapani notes, “and we’re very blessed with all of that, so we never want to take that for granted.”
source: people.com
