John N. Marsh

John was our interim minister at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist in Syracuse NY. He was a wonderful person.

In my opinion, John Marsh was the best minister we ever had at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society in Syracuse, NY. Although he was an interim, we wanted him to be our permanently called minister. John was kind, understanding, and always took time to listen to you.

Dear Alison and family,
I am sending you our deepest condolences on behalf of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association. John was one of our remarkable colleagues and his dedication and gentle spirit will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.

Dear Alison and family, I just heard of John's death, and I am so very sorry to hear this. I always liked and respected John, and I loved his story-telling! My sincere condolences to all of you, Liz

Dear Alison, James, Aidan, and Robin: I was so sorry to learn of John's passing. He was a dear man, cherished by so many. I enjoyed getting to know all of you when you lived in Rochester, and John and I continued to touch base on occasion. You've all been in my thoughts. Sending love and hugs.

We are so very sorry to hear of John's passing. Our hearts and thoughts go our to Alison, James, Aidan and Robin. Love & Hugs

John was so kind to me. Though I hadn't seen him in decades, I often thought of him.

One gift he gave me was "movie criticism". That a social justice critique was vital but not all.

Whether playing chess or making soup, whenever I saw him, his smile always seemed to be starting; you would be caught in his happiness wave and wait for the smile to crest and return but so captivated by the swell of joy, you did not notice it go away. Maybe it didn't. Maybe it just leapt off his face to continues its life in your mind.

Love forever - Hakuna-matata

A good man with outstanding humour left us too soon .
May your lives be enriched from his life.

Our hearts are so heavy at this news. We all need John's kindness, humor, and grace right now. The world has lost a great man, and we hold the Marsh, Newcomb, Patrick, and Jones families in our hearts and prayers.

John was my mentor and friend as I started my own ministerial career as his intern minister in Ottawa. He shared with me a lot of wisdom and guidance that I draw upon every day. He was also a source of emotional support during a year that was challenging for both of us personally and while we didn't see each other often in the years since, whenever we did there was a strong bond. I'm so sad to hear of his death. My love goes out to Alison and the rest of his family.

To Alison and family :I am so sad to learn of John´s passing During his time as our minister at First U Ottawa ,he was always a gentle compassionate man whose love of life and compassion for all shone through. I never missed his sermons which always gave us food for thought He will remain in our hearts I wish your family peace and strength in the time ahead

Alison, James, Aidan and Robin I just read this news and I am stunned. Kathleen and I send our deepest condolences. It was a privilege to work with John in San Francisco and over the years the rare chances to reconnect were always a joy. Much love.

Dear Alison and family. We were so sorry to learn of John´s untimely death. He was a thoughtful, generous and kind man who was a valued friend of the UU Fellowship of Ottawa. He was supportive of the financial campaign at First Congregation for our Fellowship´s building and started our shared ministerial intern program. We remember him fondly.

Alison and family,
I am sad to hear of your loss and offer my condolences on behalf of myself and Ron. We have fond memories of our time in Edmonton with John as our minister. One of our special memories was your family's gift of the little "church mouse" when you moved to the US. We enjoyed its company for much longer than expected. We hold you in our hearts during this difficult time.

Dear Steve and Family,
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We wish you peace and comfort during this time as John rests in peace.

My sympathy to Alison, family and friends. I had an opportunity to get to know John when I served on an internship committee in Ottawa. He was a gentle, thoughtful soul and I´m sure his ministry touched many people. His was a life well-lived.

Alison, Please accept our condolences. We are thinking of you and your family today as you celebrate John's life and memories of happy times together.

John was an integral member of the Moosecreek ministers of Eastern Canada. I have fond memories of sharing potluck meals together, the generous food he brought, the gift of his laugh and his collegial support. I remember the regional gathering he organized in Ottawa drawing upon his love of multi-generational ministry and wonderful theatrics. He spoke often of his love for his family. We truly missed him when he left us, and I looked forward to the day when we would reconnect at continental meetings. How heartbreaking to have lost him so soon. I send my deepest condolences to his family and to everyone who knew and loved John. A gentle giant's spirit is still walking among us.

Am full of sorrow on so many fronts. In particular for what is not known to me.

We will always remember John, a friend, confidant, and great advisor to many of us. Thank you, John!

I will never forget the pleasant evenings of fellowship with John's commentaries on Shakespeare, films of the plays and Alison's delicious soup. The fellowship was wonderful, the evenings made my week each week. What a lovely hiatus from everyday life John created for us. I will miss his kindness, smarts, and Alison, I will miss you.

John was a kind man, a gentle soul and a fine minister. I was honored to have him as a colleague and friend.

I was and am sad to know of John's untimely death. I have memories of time shared at ministers' gatherings, particularly silly little things like his commenting on the quality of brownie being served at lunch, and telling Frog and Toad stories for evening worship. But also, kindness and time shared with a grandchild and a slightly quirky sense of humour. May your memories be precious ones.

John was a wonderful man and a very meaningful speaker.

Alison - My condolences to you and your family. I am thinking of you in this difficult time.

Alison and family - My condolences to you all. I hope your happy memories help carry you through this tough time. I am thinking of you.

Oh my. How sad I am to receive this news. John could have looked down on most of us from his physical stature and mental prowess. Yet, he seemed to meet everyone as an equal. John warmly welcomed me into the chapter when I was an intern minister. With wisdom and humor, he centered us in small group worship. Encountering him at Ministerial gatherings was always joyful. May John's manner shape us into people as genuine, gentle and kind. May his memory continue to bless us, as surely as his living did.

This message is for Alison Marsh: I was so sad to hear that John, my favorite minister had died. He was a warm and wonderful human being. You and your family remain in my heart.

So sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of meeting your family for a portrait in your busy backyard. John seemed like a gentle giant to me. I hope that you will find a way to heal together, even when we are forced to be far apart.

John was our minister and more in Ottawa. He was a kind, thoughtful and generous man who always took the time to stop and share some conversation. Our family remember him with much fondness.We were so sad and sorry to hear of your loss and send our deepest condolences to you Alison and to your family.

John was my nearest colleague when I began ministry in Calgary, and he was in Edmonton. From that beginning and his gracious collegiality, we became not only colleagues, but also friends. I relished the times we were together. My deep and abiding love to Alison and the rest of his family.

Mr. John Marsh was our minister at First UU Ottawa while I was in high school. He was incredibly involved with the youth group and helped myself and my family through some very difficult times.

I will be forever grateful for his love and commitment to his congregation and I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

My condolences to his family and close friends. He made a huge impact in my adolescence and his memory will live on in the hearts and lives he touched in his life.

Deep condolences for your loss. John was one of the first Ministers I met when I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2002 and joined UUSF. He will be missed by many.

I am so sad to hear this. John was instrumental in our beginning journey in UU, and married us in 2001. Deepest condolences Alison, to you and your family. You were a role model for me, and John to Brian. With love, Natalie Freeburg and Rev. Brian Ferguson

John was a wonderful human being full of stories and love.
My love to his family for this major loss.
Sending love

Although I knew John or briefly, I found him to be a lovely man - thoughtful and generous. My thoughts are with Alison and the family.