Patrick J. Marx

Patrick J. Marx, 55, of Scranton, died peacefully Sunday at Regional Hospital of Scranton, surrounded by his wife and children. His wife is the former Ann Marie Sylvester, and the couple was married for 31 years.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of Rosemary Langan Marx and the late John H. Marx Sr. He was a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Scranton. Upon graduation, he returned to Scranton Prep to teach English and Latin, which he continued to do throughout his 34 years of service to the school. For the past eleven years, Pat served the Prep community as principal, a position he held with unquestionable integrity, undying passion and genuine humility. After stepping down from this post, he became the school's first Director of Mission and Identity, a ministry he served faithfully until just three weeks before his passing. Ever respected by the faculty and adored by the thousands of students whose lives he touched, his presence at Scranton Prep — whether in the classroom, on the field or in the audience — was unparalleled and will be sorely missed by all. Also, during his tenure at Prep, he co-directed the Summer School Program, co-founded the Young Scholars Program, was editor of the Prep News alumni magazine, was chairman of the Classics department, was moderator of the Classical Languages Club, was a recipient of the Rev. T. Donald Rinfret, S.J., Distinguished Alumni Award and at last year's commencement exercises, was awarded with the school's highest honor, the Ignatian Award.

A man of deep faith, he was an active member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, until its closing, and most recently, a member of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Scranton. He was extremely devoted to God and lovingly cherished his wife and children. He also loved being "Uncle P" to his many nieces and nephews and "Papa Marx" to his countless "Prep children" — whom he counted as his own. He enjoyed spontaneous trips with his wife and best friend, Ann Marie, to the many beaches on the East Coast, where they would bike the trails or create their own. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son, uncle and friend to all who knew him and will be missed dearly by everyone.

The family extends its greatest appreciation to the emergency room staff, the 8-East staff and the CCU staff of Regional Hospital, as well as the many doctors, who so compassionately cared for him during his illness.

Also surviving are three children, Greg and wife, Angela; Daniel and Maria; three sisters, Maureen Lavelle and husband, Tim; Nancy Marx and Maribeth Smith and husband, Jerome; two brothers, John H. Marx Jr. and wife, Kathleen; and James Marx and wife, Barbara; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from the August J. Haas Funeral Home Inc., 202 Pittston Ave., Scranton, with Mass at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Peter, to be celebrated by the Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, pastor. Anyone attending the funeral liturgy is asked to go directly to the church. Interment Cathedral Cemetery.

Friends may call Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a memorial fund in Pat's name to Scranton Preparatory School, 1000 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.augusthaas funeralhome.com.