Joseph Edward Marsh Sr.

Joseph Edward Marsh, Senior of Deerfield Beach, Florida, died on January 1, 2021 of natural causes. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 14, 1929 to John Francis and Catherine Ann (Melville) Marsh. He had six siblings, all of whom predeceased him: Raymond, Mary Elizabeth, John, James, Francis, and Catherine Ann. He grew up in Stottville, New York, and attended St. Mary’s High School in Hudson. At 16, he graduated with honors, and fluency in Latin, Greek and French. After studying with the Conventual Franciscan Community (1946 – 1952), he was in the U.S. Air Force (1954 - 1956). He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (1957), and a Master of Education degree (1961) at Siena College.

While raising a family in Albany, New York, Mr. Marsh pursued a teaching career. He joined Hudson Valley Community College as an Associate Professor, and taught American History, English and philosophy there until he retired in 1993 as Professor Emeritus, Liberal Arts.

Mr. Marsh loved Nature, and never missed the opportunity to comment on Its beauty, or capture Its glory in photographs. Although he had no affection for squirrels, he respected and marveled at all of God’s creations, especially birds. He discovered the joys of canine companionship when he adopted two rescue dogs, Brodie and Prince.

Mr. Marsh believed in the importance of community. He made a point of getting to know his neighbors, and those with whom he routinely interacted. He gave generously to religious orders devoted to service. A lifelong Democrat, he honored his civic duty by watching the news daily, and voting in every election.

Mr. Marsh was a voracious reader of nonfiction who absorbed its facts. He loved language, and spent hours writing letters to his children and friends. His English grammar was flawless; his vocabulary, impressive; his phrasing, elegant. He regularly quoted in Latin.

Mr. Marsh liked to garden, fly, bicycle, swim in the ocean, and travel abroad.

In 2004, Mr. Marsh moved from Schenectady, New York to Boca Raton, Florida so he could enjoy regularly the company of his son Bernard.

Mr. Marsh will be missed by his loyal friends, neighbor Tom Nicholson of Boca Raton, Florida, and former HVCC student, Tom DZamba of New York.

Mr. Marsh is survived by his ex-wife, and his six children, to whom he gave his unwavering love and support always, and treats from Freihofer’s bakery on many occasions: Mary Marsh, Joseph Edward Marsh, Jr., Susan Mary Marsh, Regina Mary Marsh, Bernard Raymond Marsh, and BonnieJean (Marsh) Henry. Mr. Marsh would urge all readers of his obituary to vote for Democrats. Finis.