John W. Marsh

John W. Marsh, 86, died peacefully after several months of health issues at the Care One nursing facility in Wilmington.

He was born in Hartford, Connecticut on May 3, 1937, the son of the late Charles W. and Nettie E. (Cutting) Marsh, and was raised  and educated in Nahant, Massachusetts. He was the beloved brother of the late Ernest Marsh, Margaret Curdo, James Marsh, Anna LeBlanc, Richard Marsh, and Carolyn Lauzon. John was devoted to family, church, friends, work, and his cat Pumpkin. He was a loyal son and caretaker for his mother until her death at the age of 79. Wherever he worked or lived, John got involved, was well-liked, and made friends.

John met his long-time friend “Sarki” at his first job as a clerk for the Alden Company when he was 23 and Sarki was 17. Throughout the years he enjoyed many Sunday dinners and holidays with Sarki and his family. John went on to work as maître d’ at the University Club of Boston where he remained until his early retirement in 1995. In his words, “It is not really a retirement. I am too young to retire. It’s a change and a new beginning.”  The following year, he took employment as the catering and banquet coordinator for the Winchester Hospital and remained there for 20 years. While working at Winchester Hospital he also helped with functions at the Newton Marriott. In his final retirement, John would often escape the New England winters and spend time in Florida with his friends.

Through the years, he lived in many cities and towns including Lynn, Beacon Hill, Brookline, Stoneham, and Wakefield, and his last two years were spent at the Kennedy Meadows retirement community in North Billerica. It was a bit of an adjustment for someone who lived independently his entire life., and although he wouldn’t always admit it, he enjoyed singing in their choir “The Meadowlarks” and loved their breakfast!

John is survived by many nieces and nephews including Julie Mahoney of Billerica, his devoted niece and caretaker for the last several years, and Vincent and his wife Helen LeBlanc of North Reading. He leaves behind many close friends, including, Richard Sarkisian “Sarki” of Stoughton, Diane Brown of Brookline, Nancy Curran of Vero Beach, Florida, and George LaPointe of Florida.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family on Wednesday September 6th, 2023 in the Barile Family Funeral Home 482 Main St. (RT28) STONEHAM from 8:30 am to 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating John's Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10 am. Interment will be privately held.

Please consider donations in memory of John to the Animal Rescue League of Boston at https://www.arlboston.org/