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Mark Lawrence Tobin Family Papers

An inventory of the collection at the Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives at Syracuse University

Summary

Creator: Tobin, Mark Lawrence.
Title: Mark Lawrence Tobin Family Papers
Dates: 1967-2003
Size: 18 boxes (10 linear feet)
Abstract: Materials related to Mark Tobin, one of the 35 Syracuse University students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on 21 December 1988
Language: English
Repository: Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/pan-am-103

Biography

Photograph of Mark Lawrence Tobin

Mark Lawrence Tobin (1967-1988) was among the 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. Mark was the sixth of Helen and Joe Tobin's seven children. His childhood dream was to become a television sports announcer. Mark worked towards this goal while a student at Fordham University, where he hosted the evening sports recap on the university's radio station. He spent the fall semester of 1988 in London with the Syracuse University communications program.

Mark loved sports, as both a spectator and a participant. From his early teens he loved golf, swimming, and tennis. In his college years he added hockey, surfing, and skiing to that list. His parents commented that Mark was "eternally optimistic about the successful outcome of all his undertakings. He was valued as a best friend by more people than we ever knew about." Mark is remembered by his family and friends as genuine and joyful, with an offbeat sense of humor.

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Scope and Content Note

The Mark Lawrence Tobin Family Papers contain materials related to Mark Tobin, one of the 35 students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland while studying abroad through Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA). The collection has been divided into the following series:

Artwork, containing a maquette of the Dark Elegy statue of Helen Tobin created by Suse Lowenstein.

Audiovisual materials, containing both video and audio recordings of various memorial services held for Mark and the victims of Pan Am 103.

Clippings from various newspapers and periodicals.

Correspondence, which has been further divided into subseries for condolences, Mark Tobin's personal correspondence, and the correspondence of the Tobin family. Please note some materials in the Mark Tobin subseries contain outdated terminology and potentially harmful language. The language contained in these materials was prevalent at the time of their creation, although no less potentially harmful than today. The materials are preserved and presented for their historic and research value.

Mass cards consisting of several hundred such items received by the Tobin's in the months and years following Mark's death.

Memorabilia, including Mark's trophies for athletics and theatre, and materials related to his family's involvement with the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc.

Memorial donations, which contains materials related to donations made in Mark's memory to various funds and organizations.

Photographs, containing Tobin family photo albums, and photographs from Mark's semester in London.

Subject files, including some of Mark's personal belongings, as well as papers pertaining to his estate, and post mortem examination. Please note some materials in this series contain graphic subject matter.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Due to its fragility, access to the original statue of Helen Tobin is restricted. Photographs of the piece are available.

Use Restrictions

Post-mortem images of the deceased may not be reproduced or photographed.

Written permission must be obtained from the Pan Am Flight 103 Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

The Pan Am Flight 103 Archives contains additional materials and information related to the Mark Lawrence Tobin Family Papers. Related collections include:

Eric and Jason Coker Collection

Alexander Lowenstein Family Papers

On Eagles' Wings Collection

Pan American World Airways, Inc. Collection

Dark Elegy Collection

Pan Am 103 Individuals Collection

Remembrance Quilt Collection

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Lowenstein, Suse.
Tobin, Helen.
Tobin, Mark Lawrence.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Associated Titles

Dark Elegy.

Subjects

Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing Incident, 1988.
Terrorism -- Government Policy -- United States -- Case Studies.
Terrorism -- Government Policy -- United States -- History.
Terrorism -- Government Policy -- United States.
Terrorism -- History -- 20th Century.
Lockerbie (Scotland)

Types of material

Audiocassettes.
Photograph albums.
Photographs.
Sculpture (visual works)
Sound recordings.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Mark Lawrence Tobin Family Papers,
Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Joseph and Helen Tobin, and Pat Tobin Adelman in 2007 and 2014, respectively.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in acid free folders and boxes. A custom housing was created for the maquette.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Vanessa L. St.Oegger-Menn
Date: March 2015
Revision history: Jan 2016 - Inventory added (VSOM); July 2017 - Stylistic changes (VSOM); July 2018 - Media added to inventory, stylistic changes (VSOM); Aug 2023 - Scope and Content updated (VSOM)

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order within each series and subseries.

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Inventory

Artwork
Box 1 Dark elegy maquette of Helen Tobin undated
RESTRICTED: Due to its fragility, access to the original statue of Helen Tobin is restricted. Photographs of the piece are available.
Audiovisual materials
Box 2 Fordham mass February 24, 1989 - Fordham Mass for Mark Tobin. (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00075)
Box 2 Fordham mass (graduation); graduation mass (continued, part 2); awards night May 18-20, 1989 - Label note reads: "Fordham Commencement Mass, May 20, 1989. Interviews followed Thursday PM presentation of awards". (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00074)
Side A: Fordham Mass Graduation (5. 20.58 [?]); Side B: Part 2 Graduation Mass (cont'd); Awards Night (5.18.89)
Box 2 Fordham mass (parts 1 and 2) May 20, 1989 - Fordham Mass (Commencement) Part 1 and 2 (Mark Tobin honored). (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00072)
Box 2 Fordham mass (part 3) and awards; Fordham commencement May 20, 1989 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00073)
Box 2 Mark's burial service, Holy Rood Chapel, Reverend Paul Rahilly February 4, 1989 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00077)
Side A: Mark's Burial Service; Side B: Graveside Petitions
Box 2 Mark Tobin and Jason Coker, London Center, London, England 1988 (DVD; running time 60:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00171)
Box 2 Mark Tobin, Jason Coker, Syracuse University Center, London, England (edited version) 1988 (VHS; running time 60:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00170)
Box 2 Memorial mass at Syracuse University undated (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00168)
Box 2 Mom's [Helen Tobin's] speech, Chaminade [High School] Mar 18, 1990 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00169)
Box 2 The Pipes and Drums of Scotland undated (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00076)
1. Scotland the Brave, St. Andrews Pipe Band (1:32); 2. Amazing Trace, Toyota Pipe and Drums (3:39); 3. Highland Cathedral, Pipes and Drums and Military Band of Royal Highland Fusiliers (4:19); 4. Flower of Scotland (2:55)
Box 2 Wedding vow renewal of Joe and Helen Tobin, parents of Mark Tobin July 1, 2000 (VHS; running time 00:05:00) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00078)
Box 2 Wedding vow renewal of Joe and Helen Tobin, parents of Mark Tobin July 1, 2000 (DVD; running time 120) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00172)
Box 2 Wedding vow renewals of Joe and Helen Tobin, parents of Mark Tobin July 1, 2000 (DVD; running time 120) (ID#: pa103_v_tobin_mark_00173)
Clippings
Box 3 General 1988-1992, undated (4 folders)
Correspondence
Condolences
Box 3 General December 22-29, 1988 (4 folders)
Box 4 General December 30, 1988-December 1989 (9 folders)
Box 5 Jesuit Community of Fordham University December 21, 1988-May 20, 1989, undated
Mark Tobin
Box 5 Fall 1988 September-December 1988, undated
Box 5 Incoming 1986-1988, undated (4 folders)
Box 5 Outgoing April 7, 1987
Tobin family
Incoming
Box 5 General April 1987-December 1989, undated (4 folders)
Box 6 General 1990-1999, undated (3 folders)
Box 6 From United Kingdom September 1987-September 1994, undated
Mass cards
Box 6 Agnus Dei Society December 1988-January 1989
Box 6 Association of Marian Helpers December 23, 1988-January 3, 1989
Box 6 The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal December 1988, January 1990
Box 7 Christian Brothers' Auxiliary December 22, 1988, December 27, 1988 (2 folders)
Box 7 Church of Saint Joseph December 1988-January 1989
Box 7 Franciscan Missionary Union December 1988-January 1989, undated
Box 7 The Marianist Community of Chaminade High School December 1988, December 1989, undated
Box 7 The Marianist Spiritual Alliance December 1988-June 1989, undated (3 folders)
Box 7 National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows December 1989, undated
Box 8 Other December 1988-December 1991, Undated (4 folders)
Box 9 Other February 1989-December 1991, undated (2 folders)
Box 9 Passionist Benefactors Society December 1988
Box 9 Passionists Province of St. Paul of the Cross December 21-23, 1988 (2 folders)
Box 10 Passionists Province of St. Paul of the Cross December 23, 1988, December 26, 1988 (2 folders)
Box 11 Passionists Province of St. Paul of the Cross December 27, 1988-January 26, 1989 (5 folders)
Box 12 Passionists Province of St. Paul of the Cross January-December 1989 (2 folders)
Box 12 Priests and Brothers of the Sacred Heart December 1988-April 1989, undated
Box 12 Purgatorial Society of St. Thomas the Apostle December 23, 1988, January 4, 1989
Box 12 Sacred Heart Spiritual Society December 22-25, 1988
Box 13 Sacred Heart Spiritual Society December 26, 1988-January 23, 1989 (2 folders)
Box 13 The Saint Francis Purgatorial Society January 1989 undated
FC 2-3 Saint Joseph's Abbey 1989
Box 13 St. Joseph Benefactor Society December 21, 1988, December 28, 1988, January 5, 1989
Box 13 St. Thomas the Apostle Church December 1988-September 1989
Box 13 Salesian Purgatorial Society December 21, 1988, December 31, 1988
Box 13 S.M.A. Fathers (Society of African Missions) December 24-29, 1988, undated
Box 14 Society of the Little Flower December 1988-February 1989
Box 14 The Society for the Propagation of the Faith December 28, 1988, June 23, 1989
Box 14 Trinity College (Washington, D.C.) January 1989
Memorabilia
Box 14 Pan Am Flight 103 bumper stickers undated
Box 14 Place of Remembrance dedication ribbons [April 22, 1990]
Box 15 Mark Tobin's athletics and theatre trophies 1978-1985, undated (6 items)
Box 14 "Terrorism and apathy: a deadly combination" t-shirt undated
Memorial donations
Box 14 Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC) December 1988
Box 14 Bar Association of Nassau County January 1989
Box 14 Chaminade High School (Mineola, New York) 1990
Box 14 Jewish National Fund December 1988-January 1989
Box 14 Other December 1988-January 1989
Photographs
Box 14 General 1998
Box 14 Headstone of Mark Tobin March 1991, undated
Box 14 London Abroad students 1988
Box 14 Mark Tobin 1967-1988
Box 14 Memorials circa 1990-1999
Box 16 Tobin family album 1967-1998 (2 folders)
Box 16 Tobin family album - Lockerbie, Scotland June 28-July 1, 1990
Box 16 Dark elegy 1995
Subject files
Box 16 Drawing of Mark Tobin by niece December 25, 1988
Box 16 Estate of Mark Tobin - administration proceedings April 1989-November 1990
Box 16 Estate of Mark Tobin - correspondence file April 1989-February 1991
Box 16 Fordham University Memorial Scholarship 1989-1991
Box 16 Helen Tobin's notes 1987, undated
Box 16 Helen Tobin's notes regarding Mark Tobin 1976, undated
Mark Tobin
Box 17 Artwork and schoolwork 1971-1988, undated
Box 17 Chaminade High School yearbook 1985
Box 17 Personal belongings 1980-1988, undated
Memorial Services
Box 17 General 1988-2003, undated (3 folders)
Box 18 General undated
Box 18 Pagnucco, Bainbridge, Porter, et al. vs. Pan Am World Airways, Inc. and Alert Management Systems, Inc. January-April 1993, undated (4 folders)
Box 18 Post mortem of Mark Tobin December 1988-July 1991 - (Contains graphic subject matter)
RESTRICTED: Post mortem images of the deceased may not be reproduced or photographed.
Box 18 United States Embassy, The Hague, Netherlands information packet June 2000

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