John P. Detore

John P. Detore

April 1, 1933–June 6, 2008

John Detore passed away peacefully on June 6, 2008 with his beloved partner Nancy by his side, after a recent diagnosis of Leukemia.
John was born in Natick, MA. He served in the Air Force in the Korean war. He then settled in Southern CA, where he pursued his passion of dance and began his long standing career as a dance instructor. John taught Swing, Ballroom and Latin dance in California and continued teaching when he moved to the Seattle/Everett area.
He was a Mariner HS Band Booster for the past two years. He fitted the Mariner HS band and orchestra members for their attire and supported them at football games. When the HS Jazz Band sponsored swing dances, John decorated the dance hall and taught swing dance lessons.
John was an active member of Seattle Swing Dance Club for 38 years. He loved dance, West Coast Swing in particular and served SSDC as an instructor and competition judge for many years. His other clubs and hobbies include a HAM radio club, Thursday morning Coffee club, steam engine enthusiast, reading and crossword puzzles.
John is survived by the love of his life, Nancy L. McLaren; his daughter, Keri Detore and her mother, Katherine Detore; his sister, Mary Cecilia Totten; Nancy's two daughters, Donna and Diane; and six grandchildren.
Join us for a CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE from 4 to 8 p.m., on Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Alki Masonic Hall at 4736 40th Ave. SW, Seattle. Come share in his favorite things including good food, wcs dancing and stories.