John Jack Marden
Help us celebrate John! Please share your stories and photos, and invite others who remember John.
John Calvin Marden, 82, passed away Sunday, September 15th at Mass General Hospital after a brief illness. He was born and educated in Quincy, MA the youngest child of Florence (Illingworth) and Arthur Marden. Jack was in charge of maintenance in the family operated real estate rental business. He was a member and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pleasant Street United Methodist Church and he sang in the choir for many years and he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Millville Lake Protective Association. Jack enjoyed playing the organ, building and repairing clocks, building furniture and he made over 3000 biplanes which he sold worldwide. Jack was very involved in the Masons. He was a member of several Masonic Lodges including, the Spicket Lodge #85 in Salem for 57 years and served as the organist, secretary and Worshipful Master, the Anniversary Lodge of Research #175, and he was a member, line officer and Commander in Chief of the New Hampshire Consistory and an honorary Charter member of the Pulpit Rock Lodge #103 and the Washington Lodge #61 and a former member of several other Lodges. Jack was appointed District Deputy Grand Lecturer, District Deputy Grand Master and Junior Grand Deacon in District #2. He's been Chairman of the Education Committee, Clerk of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Home and has been a former Chairman of the William Pitt Tavern Lease, Fraternal Correspondence, Jurisprudence, Lodge By-laws, Lodge Finances and Necrology. As Grand Master of NH, he was responsible for the fund drive which raised $500,000 for the restoration of the William Pitt Tavern at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, NH which was the birthplace of the Grand Lodge of NH in 1789. He was elected to Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of NH and served for 20 years. Jack received the DeMolay Legion of Honor, the National Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds, the Major General John Sullivan award, the Jeremy Ladd Cross Medal and the Christopher Champlin Medal to Most Worshipful Past Grand Master/Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of NH. Jack will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 64 years, Ruth (Dickey) Marden of Salem; his two children, daughter Debra, wife of Timothy Spindler and son Dwight and his wife Cheryl Marden of Salem; his 5 grandchildren, Stephanie, Sean, Shayne, Casey and Timothy; 4 great grandsons, Parker, Joseph, Brady and Weston, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Edward Marden and Betty Olivier.
Following his wishes, there will be a graveside service on Thursday, September 19 at 11 am at Elmwood Cemetery, 130 North Lowell St. Methuen, MA. Due to family allergies, no flowers will be accepted. Donations in John's name may be made to: St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com