Marsden Bellamy deRosset Jr.

Marsden Bellamy deRosset Jr. met his future wife when he was a young bachelor living in his first apartment with friends in Raleigh. He was in the kitchen when he heard a young woman admire a painting he’d recently purchased and hung on the wall.

“I like that painting,” she said.

“Who said that?!” Marsden asked as he poked his head through the kitchen door.

And that was the beginning of a nearly 60-year marriage and a life filled with friends, children and joy in Raleigh. Marsden deRosset died Saturday, February 6. He was 90.

Marsden was born in Wilmington and grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the son of Marsden Bellamy deRosset Sr. and Margaret Huske deRosset. He graduated from Fayetteville High School and headed to Chapel Hill to the University of North Carolina to study. He joined Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and made friends who would remain a constant part of his life. An extended group of these buddies, known as the ROMEOs (Really Old Men Eating Out) gather weekly to laugh and tell stories.

After graduating from Chapel Hill in 1952, Marsden served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. One of the hymns that will be played at Marsden’s burial this week will be the naval hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”– his favorite. Following his military service, Marsden began his career at what at the time was known as Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, Smith in Raleigh. He worked there for 47 years. He loved the stock market and his many friends and colleagues from work.

In his life outside Merrill, Marsden was a member of the Terpsichorean Club, Sphinx Club (where he served as president), Carolina Country Club, Carrousel Club and Nine O’Clock Cotillion Club. He was a faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church (where he served on the vestry) and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Fayetteville (in his youth).

Marsden was beloved by his wife, daughters, son, grandchildren and friends. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, for his love of life, for sledding down Harvey Street with his children piled on his back, for his trip planning, for his love of the Tar Heels and Wrightsville Beach, for his incredible friend group, for his gazpacho, for the twinkle in his eye and for being a loving husband and father.

Marsden is survived by his wife Anne Hood deRosset; daughters Anne deRosset Falatko (Tom) and Ellen deRosset Bassett (Doug); his son Marsden Bellamy deRosset III (Elizabeth); his grandchildren Margaret deRosset Bassett and Elizabeth Hadley Bassett (Ellen and Doug), Anna Mobley deRosset (Elizabeth and Bellamy), and Thomas Bellamy deRosset Falatko and Wright Larkin Falatko (Anne and Tom).

Marsden’s family sends love and gratitude to all of his lifetime friends and family for a life beautifully lived. Special thanks to caregiver and friend Carolyn Upchurch.

Due to the pandemic, the burial at Oakwood Cemetery will be private.

Those wishing to do so may make contributions to Christ Church, Raleigh.

Services by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.