James Ingraham Marsh Jr.

Yarmouth, ME - James I Marsh (Jim), 95, of Yarmouth, Maine, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2023. He was born to the late James I Marsh and Glyde Wells Marsh in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on March 9, 1927. He attended Princeton University after graduating from Mercersburg Academy. At the conclusion of his freshman year, he was drafted to serve in the Army Airforce as a weather observer, stationed at a remote outpost, 85 miles north of Nome Alaska. In 1950, Jim graduated from Princeton University with an AB in psychology.

Jim began his 37-year long career as a personnel manager for the General Electric Company in Schenectady New York in 1950. After their marriage in 1953, his wife Happy joined him in Schenectady, where they began a family. When Jim was transferred to the Utica, NY branch of GE the family moved to Barneveld NY in 1968. As a Human Resource Manager, Jim utilized his innate talent for relating to others of all occupations. He retired from GE in 1987 and later moved with Happy to Yarmouth, Maine, to be closer to their three children and multiple grandchildren in 2002.

He is predeceased by his loving wife of 69 years, Anne P. Marsh (Happy) and survived by his three children Elizabeth M. Elliott, James I Marsh III and Anne G. Marsh. Eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren will miss their “Grandad.”

His commitment to civic duty began early in his adulthood. He fondly recalled mentoring young people to read and write. For twenty-five years, in various capacities, he sat on the Oneida County Board of Cooperative Education (BOCES). For ten years, he was a trustee, chair or co-chair of the Herkimer County Community College Board. During his tenure, the board was able to make capital improvements and start a Ph.D. program in conjunction with Utica College. After moving to Maine, he served on the President’s Advisory Committee of Southern Maine Community College for many years. Recently he explained that he enjoyed his work supporting public education because it’s “where we can make the biggest difference in people’s lives.”

While his dedication to service was admirable, his commitment to and value of his family was unsurpassed. He was steadfast in his role as husband and father.

Jim and Happy delighted in their summers at camp on the shores of Lake Champlain. Here he enjoyed cutting fields with his antique Farmall tractor, leading regular family brush cutting events, gardening, fishing, sailing and spending time with friends. Jim and Happy traveled extensively, both nationally and internationally, visiting six of the seven continents. They sailed the Caribbean regularly with lifelong friends and enjoyed extended holidays on the island of Anegada, British Virgin Islands.

Often referred to as “a character,” or a “strong personality,” who could perhaps be somewhat curmudgeonly at times, those who truly knew Jim were treated to his exquisite sense of humor and large, thoughtful, kind and genuine heart. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

A memorial service will be held at the South Freeport Congregational Church, Freeport Maine, on Saturday March 25, 2023 at 2:30pm and can be viewed online at youtube.com/@southfreeportchurch

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to the Lake Champlain Committee, where Jim served on the Board for 5 years.

https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/support/donate

Lake Champlain Committee

208 Flynn Avenue, Bldg. 3, Studio 3F

Burlington, VT 05401