John Mark Heathcote

John Mark Heathcote, proud son of parents Roland and Dorothy Heathcote (deceased) was born in Seattle and lived in the Seattle area for 67 years. Living in the Greenlake area, he attended schools at St. Benedict, Ravenna, and John Marshall, finally graduating from Roosevelt High in 1966. While in school, his barber, Roy Russel, encouraged him to play chess, becoming the Washington State Jr. Champion in 1967-68. War in Viet Nam led him to join the U.S. Marine Corps for four years of service, during which he was awarded the Silver Star. After his years of service, worked at the Seattle Center where he was in charge of cleaning the Monorail until it was taken over by Metro. He was then placed in charge of cleaning the Center House, altogether working thirty years for the city. His favorite pastime was travel to Hawaii and wherever there was a race track for horseracing. His handicapping skills won many of the tournaments he entered. Other hobbies were collecting Hall China tea pots and accessories, along with Vera Scarves for its artwork, a love of hiking in the Northwest and rock hounding. He was always trying to find that evasive gold mine. His art painting skills made him an expert art critic. He loved running 5K races to keep himself fit and healthy and his ribbons and trophies for his age group encouraged other family members to run as well. His first love, his sweetheart Sandy, did not want to marry so he stayed single. He leaves behind four brothers,Tom, Richard, Bill, and Edward; two sisters, Christine and Clare, Nieces Andrea, Stacy and Stephanie, Nephew, Joey and great-nephew Amonre. He is preceded in death by his sister Rita.