CHATHAM – Fred J. Marsh of Chatham, MA and Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully at home with his wife and family by his side on Nov. 14, 2014.
He was born July 30, 1920 in Adams, MA to the late Fred and Gertrude Marsh.
He graduated from Drury High School in North Adams, MA, 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 1950s as a meticulous craftsman, homebuilder and developer in the Berkshires and on Cape Cod.
A consummate family man, Fred 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 Fred 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.
Fred himself played football for the Army Air Corps and later went semi-pro for the Crusaders in the Berkshires.
His family’s still not sure whether he was happier when the Red Sox lost or when the Yankees won. When Fred 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.
He leaves his wife of 68 years, Betty, who remembers him as “always a gentleman, but also a gentle man.”
Beside his spouse, other survivors are his four boys, Bill Marsh of Chatham, MA, his partner Debbi Otto and his children John, Ketchum, Julia and her husband Bruce; Jim Marsh of Andover, MA, his wife Cynthia and their children Alex and Lauren; Tom Marsh of San Antonio, TX, his partner Janise Saul and his children Aaron and Debra; John Marsh and his wife Anne of Sun Valley, ID and their son Colby; three great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Billy and Stryker and special family members Pam Marsh and Mary Ann Harwood. He also leaves two sisters, Lucille Kulp of Stuart, FL and Barbara Sprague of North Adams, MA, and sister-in-law Bernice Marsh of Sebastian, FL. Fred was predeceased by two brothers, Donald Marsh and William Marsh.
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.
For online condolences and directions please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
Nickerson Funeral Home: 508-945-1166