James P. Marsh 1953-2023

He was the fifth of eight kids, born June 22, 1953, in Warren, the son of Marie Barrett Marsh and John Marsh.

Jim was an Ohio native, who grew up knowing the value of hard work and good friendships. Upon graduating from Youngstown State University in 1978, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Jim started his own accounting practice, J.P. Marsh & Co., which he presided over for 40-plus years until his retirement. Jim also founded Marsh Development, with rental properties varying from residential to commercial, that includes unique landmarks such as the Emerald Diner and surrounding train cars in Hubbard. Jim received many awards and recognition for his renovations and historic preservations, with properties being listed on the Trumbull County Historical Register. Jim was also given the Key to the City Award for Hubbard for his beautification efforts. He was a true visionary that could create something from anything.

Jim thrived on finding old, rusted antiques and restoring them to their former glory. When he ran out of wall space for displaying his collectibles, he would start hanging them from the ceiling! Friends knew that Jim could recount the entire story of each piece of memorabilia that he owned.

Throughout the years, Jim expanded his reach to renovations in Key West, Fla. Ohio would always hold his heart, but Florida became his second home. For many, just owning a home in Key West would be enough, but Jim’s goal was to have a beautifully personalized space with location, color and historically accurate architecture.

Jim was the first recipient in the Bahama Village to be awarded a Ceramic Star for historical renovations, and the first to receive one for new construction. These highly coveted preservation awards are presented by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation and considered the gold star of historic renovations.

Jim’s goal was to always leave things better than when he started them. His mark is left anywhere that he’s been, and may even include one of his favorite antique gas pumps on the property.

When Jim wasn’t tirelessly working, he enjoyed recreational flying. Aviation is in the Marsh blood, starting with his mother, who was part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), the first female military pilots who flew during World War II, and who later received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. Jim loved flying across the country, and even to Europe, with his two daughters — all having their commercial pilots’ licenses.

Jim and his wife adored traveling and making new friends every place they went. He was a man of many stories, some factual and others not so much, all that would be entertaining, nonetheless. He was a hardworking man of great integrity, who will be truly missed.

Jim, a loving husband, father and grandfather, is survived by his wife, Nancy Marsh; daughters, Katie Marsh and Lannie Herlihy; stepson, Patrick Barry; granddaughters, Dakota Marsh and Blair Herlihy; siblings, John Marsh, Kathleen Fowler, David Marsh and Bob Marsh; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Tom Marsh and George Marsh; and his twin sister, Janet Marsh Lloyd.

A celebration of life will be held for family and close friends 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Avalon Country Club — Squaw Creek (761 Youngstown-Kingsville Road SE, Vienna, OH 44473). We encourage all to bring copies of pictures of Jim and share their fondest memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Halo House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides housing to cancer patients. Halo House was founded by Jim’s sister, Kathleen, and nephew, Nathan Fowler. Donations can be made at www.halohousefoundation.org/ways-to-donate.

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