Fred J. Marsh, 94, of Chatham Mass., and Vero Beach, passed away peacefully at home with his wife and family by his side, on Nov. 14, 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty, who remembers him as “always a gentleman, but also a gentle man;” his four boys, Bill Marsh (Debbie Otto) of Chatham, Mass., Jim Marsh (Cynthia) of Andover, Mass., Tom Marsh (Janise Saul) of San Antonio, Texas, and John Marsh (Anne) of Sun Valley, Idaho; grandchildren, John, Ketchum, Julia (Bruce), Alex, Lauren, Aaron, Debra, and Colby; three great grandchildren, Kaylee, Billy and Stryker; special family members Pam Marsh and Mary Ann Harwood; sisters, Lucille Kulp of Stuart, Fla., and Barbara Sprague of North Adams, Mass.; and sister-in- law Bernice Marsh of Sebastian, Fla.
He was predeceased by two brothers Donald Marsh and William Marsh.
He was born July 30, 1920 in Adams, Mass., to the late Fred and Gertrude Marsh. He graduated from Drury High School in North Adams, Mass., Class of 1939 and went into the Army Air Corps during World War II where he was assigned to the bombardier squadron as an aerial gunner.
After the service he worked at James Hunter Machine Company before finding his calling in the early 1950’s as a meticulous craftsman, homebuilder and developer in the Berkshires and on Cape Cod.
A consummate family man, Marsh was also a hard worker with an engaging sense of humor and a firm handshake. He didn’t put down his hammer in retirement, but kept active with projects including building the bandstand for the annual Taste of Chatham.
Throughout his life, Marsh enjoyed skiing, clamming, fishing, golf, and tennis-especially in the warm Florida sunshine. His passions included John Wayne films, Peyton Manning audibles and his 1981 green truck. He was most passionate about his family. He was a lifelong fan of the Yankees, the New York Giants and Notre Dame football. Marsh played football for the Army Air Corps and later went semi-pro for the Crusaders in the Berkshires. His family is still not sure whether he was happier when the Red Sox lost or when the Yankees won.
When Marsh wasn’t watching sports he played the organ and the harmonica in a band, wowed his children and grandchildren with magic tricks and traveled to the Mediterranean, South America and Mexico. He is now on a new adventure. He was a past member of organizations including Monomoy Yacht Club, Vero Beach Country Club, and a corporator of the North Adams Hoosac Savings Bank.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Nov. 29 at 12:30 p.m. at the Nickerson Funeral Home in Chatham. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast at 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL, 32960 and the VNA of Cape Cod at 67 Terrace Heun Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540.
