Before I ever opened the doors to my practice, I met Dr. Mark Coffiner and introduced myself. A warm smile greeted me, and after our hour long chat, we parted ways. Little did I know that our meeting would herald over 8 years of professional camaraderie and friendship.
He passed away this weekend, 1 year before his planned retirement.
There’s a weird thing that happens when pivotal things happen in one’s life. Often times, it takes months – years, perhaps, to fully realize just how important a moment was. A young couple on a first date, a newfound hobby, a new job – may not go anywhere at all, but all have tremendous potential to blossom and grow into something special and meaningful.
When I first met Dr. Coffiner, I couldn’t have imagined how important he would be in my own, personal “grand scheme”. Decades apart in age, he was practicing Endodontics before my parents even met.
He was a seasoned dental specialist. I was a novice.
Him – old school, analog – me, a hyperconnected technophile.
But we connected, and he took me ‘under his wing’.
Over the years, I’ve sought his advice countless times on matters both professional and personal. He became a mentor in many facets, and I grew to respect his meticulous approach to problem solving – in dentistry, and in life.
Thank you, Mark, for being a dear friend. You will be missed.