John Harwick

Age 84, of Pittsburgh, on Novemeber 3, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Mary Geraldine Harwick; and his daughter, Mary Beth Harwick. He is survived by his sons, Barry (Marcia Kelly), Robert (Nancy Anne); ex-wife, Mary Harwick; and two sisters, Mary Lou Harwick and Patricia Allamon. He was grandfather to Michael, Mary Carolyn, Benjamin (Katie), Mark (fiancée, Alyssa), Christopher, Sarah, and Katie. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. John grew up in Clymer, PA and held Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Masters from West Virginia University. He taught English and Journalism at the high school and college level, finishing his career with two years in South Africa. His passion was all phases of running and he spent over 60 years as one of the most prominent individuals affiliated with running in Western Pennsylvania. He was inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and was to be inducted into the Pittsburgh Marathon Hall of Fame in 2018. He created track clubs wherever he was living and coached a number of national champions with the Western Pennsylvania Track Club. He was one of the founders of the Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club, the Pittsburgh Marathon and the Pittsburgh Great Race as well as many local, regional, and national track and field meets. He touched the lives of hundreds of athletes over the years and had continued contact with many. For over 35 years he directed the Gold Medal Running Camp. He enjoyed traveling internationally, especially with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Church where a viewing will be held Monday, November 6 from 1-6 with a funeral service at 6 p.m. A private burial will take place in Valier, PA on Tuesday, November 7. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mollenauer Memorial Scholarship of Athletic Office, Mt. Lebanon High School or Relay For Life

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