Joseph P. "Jay" Marsden Sr. (Retired 36 year Conductor for B & M Railroad, Boston to Lowell line.) a 51 year resident of Medford and formerly of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at his home in Medford following a 6 month courageous battle with cancer. He was 71 years old.
Jay was born in Boston on June 14, 1945, a son of the late John F. "Hank" Marsden and Mary R. "Mame" (Gardner) Marsden. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated at St. Francis De Sales Parochial School and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1963 where he was Vice President of his senior class. Jay began working for B & M Railroad which he was very proud that he was fourth generation of the Marsden family to become a Conductor with the railroad. He loved and enjoyed the 36 years he worked the Boston to Lowell line as Conductor and was featured on Chronicle and in the Boston Globe for his charisma and jolly personality he showed each and everyday to the people who traveled with him on the train. He was known for his white beard and could be seen playing Santa Claus at any given time for over 50 years. Jay retired from the railroad in 2005 after a dedicated and magical career. He was a member of the Bunker Hill Council # 62, Knights of Columbus and Englewood, Florida Elks.
Jay is the beloved husband of 51 years to Velna J. (McCarthy) Marsden. He is the devoted father of Joseph P. "Jay" Marsden Jr. and his wife Kim, Sharon O'Connor and her husband David and Lisa Marsden. He is the loving Papa to Patrick, Shane and Jillian O'Connor and Riley and Kendall Marsden. He is the beloved brother of Mary Rizzo and her husband Paul and the late Ann Ford, John "Jack" Marsden and William "Zeke" Marsden. He is the loving Uncle Jay - Santa to his many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jay's Funeral on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 9 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown at 10 A.M. His burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. His visiting hours will be on Sunday, June 4, 2017 from 2 to 6 P.M. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Jay's name to World Hunger Year, 505 8th Avenue, Suite 2100, New York, New York 10018.