Mark Walter Richardson

Mark Richardson passed away at Winter Haven Hospital on

November 6th after a 4-week battle with COVID-19. He was 58.

Mark was born on December 20th, 1962, in Normal, Illinois. His

family consists of his mother, Nancy Brantly, his father, Jay

Richardson, and his younger brother, Michael Richardson.

Mark's family moved several times while he was young: Normal

to Villa Park to Hudson to Lindenhurst, all in Illinois, and then to

Winter Haven, FL, in 1974. Mark graduated from Winter Haven

High School in 1980 and enrolled part-time at Polk Community

College where, in 1982, he earned an Associate's Degree in

Computer and Information Science. He then enrolled part-time at

the University of Central Florida, pursuing a degree in Information

Technology. He worked part-time at Disney World while

attending UCF to help offset his school and living costs. It was at

Disney World that he met Patty Martin, who became the love of

his life.

Mark and Patty married in 1987. Shortly after their marriage,

Mark left UCF because he had been employed as a software

engineer by The Main Line Corporation, in Jupiter, FL. Mark and

Patty moved to Hobe Sound, FL. In 1989, their son, Kevin, was

born. Three years later, their daughter, Christine, was born.

Mark stayed with The Main Line Corporation for about 10 years,

then did some I. T. consulting. His last employer was Awareness

Technology, in Palm City, FL.

While brilliant in computer technology and data systems, Mark

was a shy person and made few friends outside his workplaces.

His vocation was his avocation, and he loved "talking tech" with

others in his field and with his son, Kevin.