Marc Douglas Heintz passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023 from an acute and unexpected battle with heart failure. He was surrounded by his daughter, son-in-law, and two brothers at the time of his passing. Our family wishes to express sincere thanks to his most excellent, thorough and compassionate care team in the Cardiac ICU at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.

Marc was born on July 31, 1952 to Robert (deceased 2007) and Carol Heintz in Portland, Oregon. Marc married Peggy Barnes in 1989 and together they had Libby Aleece, Marc’s only child. Libby and husband Joshua Gillette live and work in Eugene, OR. Joshua and Libby have two beautiful boys, Solomon (age 3) and Elijah (age 14 months). Marc cherished and loved his grandsons who called him ‘Papa’. Marc is also survived by his mother, Carol Heintz (The Springs at Sherwood) and three siblings, Marci (Al) Herberholz – Tigard, OR, Brad (Stacy) Heintz – Cle Elum, WA, and Brian (Natasha) Heintz – Vancouver, WA.

Marc attended St. Clare’s Catholic grade school, Jesuit High School (class of ’70), and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oregon State University (class of ‘76). He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Marc worked for 29 years at Sysco Foodservice in Wilsonville. He was an exceptional employee and his co-workers became like family. He retired in 2012 to enjoy his numerous pastimes.

An avid fisherman and hunter, Marc spent numerous hours fishing the mouth of the Columbia River to Bonneville Dam for sturgeon and salmon and yearly would travel to Eastern Oregon to hunt deer or elk with his dearest friends. Many memories were made while pheasant hunting with his brothers and Dad. Marc also enjoyed crabbing and deep sea fishing. He and his brothers shared a memorable trip together, a fishing excursion to Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, for Halibut, ten years ago. Marc would travel to Florida from time to time to fish for Dorado and other sport fish with a longtime friend. Being out in the woods or on the water brought Marc contentment and joy. He helped his mother care for and maintain his family’s mountain cabin after his father passed away. Tending to the grounds, chopping wood, building fires and managing brush piles, although tiring work, it fulfilled him. Not just a hunter, but a gatherer also, Marc would pick and can fruit and vegetables throughout the year. He even taught his daughter to can just a couple summers ago.  He was incredibly hardworking, resourceful, steadfast and devoted.

Marc enjoyed watching all sports, especially the Portland Trail Blazers and OSU Beaver Football. He was skilled at woodworking and stained glass; making beautiful window hangings and coffee tables for family and friends. A lover of music, Marc accumulated countless records and CDs of all his favorite artists. Knowledgeable about birds, he could rattle off the names of each one that came to visit outside his front window. He also had a green thumb, keeping many houseplants, including handmade terrariums, thriving.

He was a faithful man and attended church regularly. He was curious about the gospel and receptive to conversations about the deeper things of life. He was a great listener and offered encouragement to others. Although he did not make it too obvious, he truly was a sentimental and sensitive man. His daughter and grandboys certainly softened his heart over the years and brought out his sappy side too. His family and friends would describe him as sympathetic, intelligent, selfless, dependable, practical, giving, determined, appreciative, solid, sincere and loving.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 at St. Clare Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon, followed by a luncheon to celebrate and commemorate Marc’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as Marc was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 11 and overcame many challenges associated with this disease, thanks to medical advances. Donations may also be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) as Marc was a member and passionate about their conservation efforts.

“Make me increasingly mindful, O God,

of that greater context—of that vast, magnificent story

that cradles my own small and wounded story—

that even amidst such deep-felt sorrows

I would not fail to also see at work

these brighter seeds of hope and heaven, branching,

budding, and flowering into unshakeable wonders;

that I might also hear the quiet thunder of the Spirit’s whisper:

This is not the end.

This is not at all the end.

This is only the moment before

the better holiday begins.

Amen.”

(Excerpt from Every Moment Holy Volume II by Douglas McKelvey)