Softball standout had 2 no-hitters

8/2/2004

Mark A. Segura, a local star softball pitcher, died of cancer yesterday at his Perrysburg home. He was 41.

Mr. Segura pitched two no-hitters, one in 1999 during a Men's Class C slowpitch softball game at the Lucas County Recreation Center and another in 2001 during a "Super State" tournament game.

His accomplishments on the mound earned Mr. Segura a place in the softball hall of fame, and field No. 2 at the Lucas County Recreation Center was recently named in his honor. But family members say his victories on the field are bested by his triumphs in the game of life.

His wife Laurie said Mr. Segura lived life to the fullest and made friends with nearly everyone he met.

"I never met anybody with so many friends," she said. "He was just one of those people you loved to be around. He was very genuine."

Though Mr. Segura was physically imposing at 6 feet, 2 inches and 230 pounds, Mrs. Segura said the former Marine wasn't afraid to show his emotions, a quality that endeared him to friends.

"He was a very open person," she said. "He wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve."

Mrs. Segura said her husband's motto was "the more, the merrier."

Friends and family even joined the couple on a portion of their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in 1994.

"I had him for one week, and for the second week, 18 friends and family joined us," Mrs. Segura said.

Mr. Segura's brother, John, said his brother was always surrounded by loyal friends.

"For 41 years, he lived a full life," he said. "Everyone just adored him."

Mr. Segura was a mentor to his three younger brothers, said John. "We all looked up to him," he said. "He led by example."

Surviving are Mr. Segura's wife, Laurie; daughter, Diana; sons, Joshua and Derek, and brothers, Charlie, Al, and John.

The body will be at the Eggleston-Meinert-Pavley Funeral Home in Oregon tomorrow from 5 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 9 p.m., with Scripture services at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Toledo. The family suggests tributes to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the church.