For Mark, pinball has always been more than a game – it’s been a lifelong passion and, eventually, a powerful tool for healing.

Mark has spent over 20 years restoring, collecting, and curating vintage pinball machines. But his connection to pinball goes deeper than nostalgia or mechanics. Like many families, Mark’s has been personally affected by substance use disorder. During the early days of a loved one’s recovery, he saw firsthand the importance of having meaningful, hands-on work to replace old habits and restore a sense of purpose. It was in that quiet space between recovery and restoration that the idea for Restorative Pinball was born.

Mark founded Restorative Pinball to create a place where individuals in recovery could rebuild both machines and themselves. Through mentorship, technical training, and creative collaboration, participants don’t just learn how to fix electromechanical wonders – they rediscover patience, confidence, and community.

What began as a personal project became a mission:
To empower people in recovery through the art of vintage pinball restoration – breathing new life into both machines and the people who work on them.