Harold Clayton Marsh (October 5th 1926 - December 27th , 2010) - Thomas Carlyle once wrote, "The courage we desire and prize is not to die decently, but to live manfully". Today, through the embodiment of these words, we celebrate the life and legacy of our beloved friend, mentor, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Harold Clayton Marsh. Born in Deer Harbour-Random Island Newfoundland to two loving parents, Arthur and Sarah (Soper), on October 5th, 1926, Harold began charting his course through life navigating with a compass consisting of an unparalleled work ethic and a penchant for the simple things in life. Someone once wrote that, "A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge". What Harold lacked in a formal education, he made up for with a PhD in the science of imparting a love to all individuals whom he encountered throughout his existence. He dedicated twenty-eight years of his life to honing his craft as a moulder at Mcavity's in the great city of Saint John. He used this opportunity, along with the support of his wife and partner in life of 60 years, Rhyna (King), to providing a loving home and the life essentials to his four children: Gary, Marilyn (Mike), Sterling (Judy), and Bruce (Yolande). The environment he provided was conducive to their development as impeccable human beings, and played in an integral part in their life success-both personally and professionally. Harold's small stature was superseded by his ability to cast a blinding light on the lives of those he touched, whether it was at a family function, at a local hockey rink, or by a chance encounter. Harold was a simple man with a refined palate for the most important thing in life-his family. He cherished each and every opportunity to express his unconditional love and support, and impart his own life lessons to his family with the hopes that they too would put a premium on the importance of people and of family. His life and his legacy will live on with his nine grandchildren-Shawn, Jennifer (Jonathan), Andrew (Jennifer), Sarah (Rick), Ariel (Kevin), Aaron, Gillian, Matthew (Krista), and John (Jullie)-and his 10 great grandchildren-Emma, Abigail, Alex, Sacora, Lily, Logan, Luke, Amelia, Regan, and Claire. Lord Alfred Tennyson once wrote, "Authority forgets a dying king." We will not forget our dying king. We, his family and friends, represent the hope of humanity. We owe it Harold to show that this world is still a world of the people, for the people, and by the people.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm, Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, NB. A private service for the family will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that a donation in Harold's name be made to one of the following charities: the New Brunswick Lung Association, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Atlantic Region, or the Salvation Army. www.fundyfuneralhome.com