John J Marsh

                                                                           " Heart " of Silvestri's softball
John Marsh Jr., Known as the " Heart " of Silvestri's softball, respected businessman and local athlete passed away yesterday after a long illness. Born in 1951 in Manhattan, Mr. Marsh moved to Brooklyn before settling in Graniteville as a young child.
A graduate of Port Richmond high school, Mr. Marsh had many careers over his lifetime. He was a mailman, NYC Corrections officer, served on the NYPD, and was a Coca Cola Route Manager on Staten Island in the 1970s. He spent most of his life as a Manager and partner of various businesses including Heartland Superette, and then later as owner of J & J Bagels in Great Kills, employing and mentoring many people through the years.
An outstanding athlete and fierce competitor, he was the boxing champion of his Police Academy class in 1972 , but was most successful and known for his role on the softball field, specifically as right fielder for Silvestri's Softball team. Throughout the 1970s and 80s the team dominated Men's Modified Pitch softball on the island and Nationwide, winning 3 national titles and placing in the top 5 six more times, and he was an integral part of the teams success. He was named to the First All American team 3 times, and posted more hits in the ASA National Tournament than any other player in history. He was the motivating force of the team, known to tell his teammates " If your uniform ain't dirty, you ain't winning".

He is survived by his loving wife Susan , son John Marsh III( Kimberly) daughters Stacy Decker(Eric) and Mandi Lawrence(Michael) , his sister Janet Miller, brother Joseph Marsh and his wife Carmen, his sister-in-law Diane Marsh , his beloved grandchildren Eric John , Lyla Rae, John Vincent, and Evelynne Rose, his stepchildren Christopher and Michael Dontis and Stefanie Richichi as well as so many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his Parents, John Marsh Sr and Mildred MacNeil Marsh, his brother James Marsh and brother in Law Jack Miller.