Mark K. Caplan | McDonald's owner, 70

Mark Kolman Caplan, 70, of Gwynedd Valley, a McDonald's franchise owner, died of complications from lymphoma Friday at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood.

A native of Baltimore, Mr. Caplan earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland. After service in the Coast Guard, he joined his family's company, Allegheny Beverage Corp. He worked in management positions in Baltimore and Richmond, Va., with the company before acquiring McDonald's franchises in 1978.

Mr. Caplan operated three McDonald's locations in Montgomery and Lehigh Counties. His son, Doug, who worked with him for the last 10 years, said he continued to be involved in the restaurants' operations.

Mr. Caplan enjoyed winters in Sailfish Point, Fla., travel, and golf, and was a member of Meadowlands Golf Club in Blue Bell. "He was a a man of integrity, a wise counsel, a great host, charming, intelligent, engaging, and amusing," his nephew Franklin Caplan said.

In addition to his son, Mr. Caplan is survived by his wife of 22 years, Kathleen Holt Caplan; a son, Craig; stepchildren Kelly Gross, Kristine McLaughlin and William Gross; 12 grandchildren; and his former wife, Betty Lou Anderson.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Dr., Philadelphia.