Mark Trafton III Obituary. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on Nov
2, 2010, page 4.
Mark Trafton, III, passed away peacefully Sunday,
October 31 with his three sons and their wives at his side after a hard
fought battle with lung cancer and Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Mark was preceded in
death by his father, Mark Trafton, Jr., his mother Harriet Trafton, and his
loving wife of 44 years, Frances Hall Trafton. Mark was born March 10, 1937
in Puerto Armuelles, Republic of Panama. He spent his younger years in La
Lima, Honduras, while his father worked as a scientist and manager with the
United Fruit Company.
Mark attended high school and graduated from The
Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL where he was recruited to play football
at Florida State University during the Tom Nugent era. Mark left FSU to
enlist in the US Air Force and served as a mechanic on the B-47 Stratojet.
He then returned to FSU and earned his major in math and minor in physics.
Upon graduation, Mark joined the Florida Department of Insurance where he
held the positions of Deputy Insurance Commissioner, Fire and Casualty;
Chief Actuary; and Director of Insurance Rates Division. Mark left state
government to consult and lobby for companies and entities such as the
Florida Insurance Council, AFLAC, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. He was also
president of both Insurance Industry Consultants, Inc, and American United
Insurance Company. Mark earned the reputation as a "straight shooter" and
was called upon on numerous occasions to give an honest, competent
assessment on how proposed regulations and statutes would affect the
insurance industry and its consumers.
Mark received many awards and
accolades during his career. These included Florida Insurance Council's
prestigious John L. "Rick" Ricciardelli Lifetime Achievement Award for
Mark's dedication and contributions to the insurance industry throughout
his career; the Golden Pigeon Award, where his peers voted him as the
lobbyist of the year; and the Wade Holland Award, an annual award presented
to Mark in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement
and success of the insurance community, its policyholders, and the Florida
Insurance Council.
Mark, fondly known as "Boss" to his grandchildren,
loved life and lived it to its fullest. He and Fran spent many hours
watching and supporting their sons' baseball games and other activities.
They also graciously hosted numerous family/friend get-togethers, parties
and reunions throughout the years. Mark was a very generous person who
served as an outstanding role model and mentor to his sons and to all who
knew him. He will be sorely missed.
Mark is survived by his sons, Mark
Trafton, IV, (Ashley), James C. Trafton (Paige), and Joshua M. Trafton
(Nicole), all of Tallahassee. He is also survived by his five
grandchildren, Mark Trafton V, Jack Trafton, William Trafton, Isabell
Trafton, and Madison Trafton; his siblings Sue Hamer (Walter) of Sarasota,
FL; Wilbur Trafton (Mary Grace) of Indian Rocks, FL; Janet Tobin of Boston,
MA; and D'Anet Trafton, Atlanta, GA and many loving nieces and nephews.
