In Memory of John Marsh (October 6, 1955 – June 6, 2021)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. John N. Marsh, who died on June 6, 2021, at the age of 65.

John was born on October 6, 1955, in Brockton, MA to John M. Marsh and Carol N. Marsh. His family had lived in Norwell, MA for generations and were associated with both the Unitarian and Universalist churches. Somewhere in grade school, John thought of ministry as something he would like to do. His understanding of it then was that it involved wearing a robe, lighting candles, and telling stories. He was sure he would be very good at it. By the time he was in high school, he was inspired by the idea of Harvard Divinity School and its tradition of academic excellence. His understanding of ministry, its possibilities and its limits grew considerably, and his sense of calling continued.

In 1977, John received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he graduated magna cum laude. Later that year he joined Harvard Divinity School to fulfill his long-held dream. While attending Harvard, he worked as Director of Religious Education at the Arlington Street Church in Boston, MA. At the same time as preparing for fellowship as a parish minister, John enrolled in the UUA’s Independent Study Program of becoming an accredited Minister of Religious Education. In 1982, he earned his Master of Divinity.

Rev. Marsh was ordained into the Unitarian Universalist Ministry in 1982. He served the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles, CA as a Minister of Religious Education from 1982 to 1984. Subsequently, he served the Unitarian Church of Edmonton, Alberta (1986-1995) and the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, CA (1995-2004). In both Edmonton and San Francisco congregations, he worked with lay leaders to include children in more worship events and other activities. In San Francisco, he was instrumental in helping the congregation start a bell choir, promoted the integration of the children’s choir with the life of the larger congregation and incorporated dance and other art forms in the worship services.

The most rewarding experience of Rev. Marsh’s San Francisco ministry was the 1997-1998 San Francisco Capital Fund Drive. After the earthquake of 1989, the State of California raised safety requirements for public buildings. The historic sanctuary required reinforcing, and there were many other long neglected maintenance projects and many long-postponed improvements (including projects to increase accessibility). The minimal cost required was $850,000; through a year of planning, a half-year of intensive asking, and three years of collecting the San Francisco Capital Fund Drive exceeded its goal of raising $2.3 million.

Following San Francisco, Rev. Marsh served his interim ministries at the UU Church of Utica, NY (2004-2005); May Memorial UU Society, NY (2005-2007); and the First Parish UU of Arlington, MA (2007-2009). In all these congregations, he contributed to church fundraising and financial planning.

At May Memorial, Social Justice and Religious Education experienced its most dramatic improvements. He worked together with lay leadership to establish a Program Council and to make the entrance to the building attractive, warm, and welcoming through seasonal displays.

From 2008 to 2009, Rev. Marsh was Mass Bay UUMA Chapter Leader and settled minister at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, Ontario from 2009 to 2016. Thereafter, he again continued his services as an interim minister at the UU Congregation of the South Jersey Shore, Pomona, NJ (2016-2017); the UU Church of Greater Lansing, MI (2017-2019); and the Unitarian Society of New Haven, CT (2019-2020). He helped all the congregations he served grow stronger as an institution and as a progressive force in the community.

Rev. Marsh’s denominational affiliation included serving as a Ministerial Settlement Representative for the Pacific Central District (1998-2003). He also had significant involvements with church camps and retreats. He was the RE week staff for five years at Star Island (1977-1981), and children’s program coordinator at Ferry Beach for one summer. In Edmonton, he directed weeklong programs at Moonlight Bay, a camp for underprivileged youth run by the United Church of Canada.

In 1996, John was honored with the Annual Social Justice Award of the Western Canada District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. In 2004, he was awarded the Unitarian Universalists for Ethical Treatment of Animals Special Award for his various works, including commencing an annual service for the “Blessing of the Animals” at the San Francisco UU Church.

John’s community work focused on abolishing the death penalty. He was founding chair of the board of directors of the California People of Faith Working to End the Death Penalty (1987). During his spring 2003 sabbatical, he made weekly visits to two men on death row at the San Quentin Prison. In the spring of 2005, John testified on some of the negative aspects of the death penalty before a joint committee hearing of the NY State Assembly. The process undertaken by the Assembly resulted in NY being the first state to get rid of its death penalty after reintroducing it. He also served the San Francisco Public Schools Middle School Language Arts Textbook Selection Committee.

In his spare time, he enjoyed playing piano, weight training, cross country skiing, snowboarding, bicycling, and cooking.

John’s wife Alison shared:
“Our children and I supported his wide-ranging career. We are actively missing him in our day-to-day life. He was a warm and friendly man with a keen sense of humor. He loved playing Pokemon Go and chess and loved listening to music and books. He was funny and gentle and interested in the world around him.

John had a major stroke in June of 2020 and had subsequent medical events leading to his death June 6, 2021. During the pandemic and his recovery at home, he continued to explore his interest in UU history and wrote a sermon which was read by Jesse Griest DRE at the Unitarian Society of North Haven and by the Rev. Rali Weaver, minister at Dedham UU.”

John is survived by his father, John Milton Marsh; brother, Stephen (Laurie); sisters, Jane, Susan (Scott Jones); cousins, nieces, and nephews; and extended family. He leaves his wife, Alison; children, James, Aidan and Robin; and grandchildren, Daniel and Nina. He was predeceased by his mother Carol Newcomb Marsh.

A virtual memorial service was held at 3 pm EST, on Sunday June 27, 2021.