Beaton Marsh

Mr. Beaton Marsh, 90, of 42 Bridge Street, Colebrook, NH, passed away Friday evening, June 11, 2004, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital. Beaton was born May 6, 1914, in Colebrook, son of the late Harry N. and Anna (Beaton) Marsh. His mother died when he was six years old. When he was seven, Beaton and his father traveled by rail and steamship to the Yukon Territory where his father’s parents and brother were working gold claims and operating a roadhouse. But the “lure of gold” faded for his father after a couple of years and he and Beaton returned to Colebrook. Beaton graduated from Colebrook Academy and thereafter pursued his engineering degree at the University of New Hampshire and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was hired by Colonel Burnside Value as a layout and transportation engineer for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. After World War II started, he continued working for Colonel Value on various defense projects in Puerto Rico, Florida and Tennessee. He served as an officer in the United States Army Corps of Engineers between 1944 and 1948, leaving active service to return to Colebrook and join in partnership with his father in the Harry N. Marsh Ford Auto Dealership. He continued as an active member of the Army Reserve, retiring as a Major in the early 1970’s. In 1951, he married the one true love of his life, Geraldine “Jerry” (Lynch) Marsh. Shortly after his marriage, he commenced upon a lengthy career with Ethan Allen Furniture Corporation, beginning as the plant engineer at Beecher Falls and ending his career as the Director of Lumber Management, retiring from Ethan Allen in 1988. Beaton served as a selectman for the Town of Colebrook for 12 years and on various Colebrook School building construction committees. He was a Past Commander of the George L. O’Neil American Legion, Post #62 and a Past Master of Evening Star Lodge #37, F&AM. After retirement, he shifted into first gear and enjoyed being a volunteer consultant with the International Executive Service Corps. He specialized in furniture manufacturing and business management and performed engagements in Jamaica, Granada, Barbados, Honduras and Hungary. Also after retirement, he served four terms in the New Hampshire Legislature, including six years as Vice-Chairman of the Public Works Committee and two years as Chair of Enrolled Bills on the Legislative Administration Sub-Committee. Subsequent to his term in the legislature, he was appointed by the Governor to serve as one of four New Hampshire Council members on the Northern Forests Land Council for the states of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and New York. He loved to travel, and he and Jerry traveled the world as time permitted. He always returned to Colebrook. His love and devotion for the North Country and his neighbors never wavered. Beaton was the father of three admiring children: Harold M. Brown of Kenai, Alaska, Anna Beaton Lizier of Atkinson, NH, and Nancy Magraw who preceded him in death. He also enjoyed his eight grandchildren: Molly, Katy, Christian, Majken, Steffen, David, William and John. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Geraldine “Jerry” (Lynch) Marsh on November 16, 1996.

Beaton Marsh

May 6, 1914 - June 11, 2004