Mark Moshe Mausenbaum, aka Coach Mouse, at Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club, died on Saturday after a brave battle with cancer.
The chairwoman of the club, Bonita Jones, said Mr Mausenbaum’s legacy would live on in the story of Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club where he had been an active member since 2010.
From the time he had joined the club with his young son, Ariel, he had made an impact in the lives of the members and the community, she said.
Being an avid sportsman, he quickly offered his services as nipper coach and helped with the Milnerton nipper development until Ariel became a junior lifeguard, at which time he moved to coaching lifeguards.
Mr Mausenbaum had had a passion for the club and its members that could be seen in the way he interacted with the lifeguards, nippers and parents at the club, Ms Jones said.
“He fulfilled many roles in the club and touched the lives of so many young people, not only at Milnerton but in the broader lifesaving community.”
Ms Jones recalled that Mr Mausenbaum would be seen at every competition and every lifesaving event, cheering on from the sidelines when he was not busy taking photographs or managing the teams.
“Often, on any given day during the voluntary lifesaving season, you could find him at the club, checking in on the lifeguards, fixing boards and just being present. He had his finger firmly on the pulse of Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club.”
Mr Mausenbaum was the chairman of Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, when the club struggled with too few senior lifeguards to lead the lifeguard team, he volunteered and was elected as club captain, a position in which he remained for three seasons.
During his time as club captain, Mr Mausenbaum’s enthusiasm for the lifesaving movement helped grow the club and motivate its young lifeguards to create the thriving Lifesaving Club we have today, said Ms Jones.
“Mark remained on the club committee as social and events manager and gear steward until 2021,” she said.
In 2019, the club gave him a meritorious service award in recognition of his contribution to its growth.
“Mark’s charisma made people feel welcome, noticed and appreciated. His presence in our club will be missed,” said Ms Jones.
Mr Mausenbaum is survived by his wife, Amanda, and her children, Miranda and Kade, his son, Ariel, and his parents, Gean and Hymie Mausenbaum.