BEN MARSH

Anchorage resident Ben Marsh, 78, died Thursday of a sudden heart attack at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Mr. Marsh moved his family from Skokie, Ill. in 1966 to Anchorage and became the city manager. He also served on the Anchorage Borough Assembly, and after unification he served as an assemblyman for the Municipality of Anchorage. His service in public office spanned a period of 14 years. He was also a World War II Veteran of the Army. Mr. Marsh was a well respected businessman and real estate broker with his own business, "Ben Marsh and Associates" for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Petroleum Club, the Anchorage International Rotary Club, Charr, and the Executive Secretary of Alaska Manufactured Homes Assoc. for 25 years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family hunting, fishing and boating in Prince William Sound. He was a wood carver and enjoyed taking gambling trips to Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard C. and Hazel MacKenzie Marsh; a brother, Robert Marsh, and his first wife of 48 years, Maria Bruno Marsh.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Marsh; his son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Sheila Marsh of Valdez; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Dennis Vincent of Wasilla; and daughter, Linda Marsh-Ives of Anchorage; grandchildren, Jason Marsh, Jessica Marsh, Ty Vincent, M.D. and wife Megan of Anchorage, Gina Vincent, PhD of Boston, Mass.; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, James Marsh, of Milford, Maine, and Donald Marsh of Holden, Maine.

Friends desiring to give memorials may direct them to Anchorage International Rotary, Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 104488, Anchorage AK 99510.

"He was truly generous, a mentor and shepherd of his family, and will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched," his family said.

Services were performed by Father Nelson, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Anchorage, at 9th and Klevin streets, off Bragaw.

Arrangements were made through Kehl's Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel with his long-time friend, Fred Kehl, officiating.