Richard H. Marson

Richard Harry Marson died peacefully at his home in Needham on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the age of 90.

He was born in Boston on November 22, 1933, the son of the late Julian and Fanny (Slosberg) Marzynski. Richard was raised in Brighton and graduated from Boston English High School, Class of 1951, and Harvard University, Class of 1955. Shortly after graduation, he married his long-time sweetheart Vivian (Aarons), to whom he was married for over 68 years. Richard and Vivian first moved to Waltham to start their family, and then in 1967 moved to Needham, where they have been ever since.

Richard was the loving, supportive, and proud father to Lisa Marson of Arlington, Barry Marson and his wife Kathleen (Duncan) of Groton, MA, and Judith Jacobs and her husband Ronald of Needham. He was the adored Papa to many grandchildren, including Julia Wise Kofi and her husband Bruce, Rachel Wise, Justin Jacobs, Lucas Jacobs, Peter Marson and his fiancé Makayla Mason, Benjamin Marson, and Jack Marson. He was a devoted brother to David Marson of Dedham and uncle to Deborah Marson of Newton and Marsha Moller and her husband Ed of Needham. He is also survived by many grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. His kindness, smile, and sense of humor will be missed by all.

Richard worked his entire career at The Newcan Company, a family owned business started by his grandfather in 1903. Beginning after college, he worked his way up, and ultimately ran the company for many years with his older brother, David, and with his niece Marsha, who joined them at Newcan in 1981.

Richard was an incredibly enthusiastic alumnus of both Boston English High School and Harvard University. In 2018 he was awarded the Lifetime Service Award by The English High School Alumni Association for “over 2 decades of dedication and contributions to The English High Alumni Board and Hall of Fame Banquets and as Treasurer.” For Harvard, he served on many reunion committees and always participated in fundraising efforts for the Class of 1955. Richard’s enthusiasm for Harvard was on display the most, however, when he attended Harvard football games. He likely attended over 500 games during his life, starting with the first game he attended when he was a boy with his father, all the way to this past Fall, where he attended all but one of the season’s home games. Win or lose, he loved the games, tailgating with his friends and family, and cheering on his team.

But the place Richard was the happiest of all was with his family at Stinson Lake in New Hampshire, a hidden gem in the White Mountains. He spent summers there from the time he was a baby, and cherished the time there with his family, whether building a fire in the big stone fireplace on a cold August morning, sitting in a rocking chair on the porch watching the sun set over the lake, going for a ride in the motor boat, or, best of all, diving off the dock and going for a swim in the pristine Stinson Lake water. “Tough life,” he liked to say, jokingly, with a smile.

Services will be held at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Avenue, Needham on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 10:00 am with interment to follow at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, West Roxbury. Memorial observance will be at the home of Judith and Ronald Jacobs, following the interment until 3:00pm, continuing 6:30-9:00pm. Continuing on Thursday 2:00-4:00pm and 6:30- 9:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the charity of your choice.