Obituary of Richard Alton Marsten

Richard Alton “Dick” Marsten of Saint John, husband of Marjorie Emma (Nickerson) Marsten, passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at the Saint John Regional Hospital, following a brief illness. Born in the Meductic area on December 7, 1928, he was a son of the late Stanley Peter and Sylvia Hester (Slaney) Marsten. Dick was a partner in Mitchell and McConnell Insurance for many years. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Saint John, the Probus Club, the Saint John Boys and Girls Club, and was a former member and past chairman of the Board of Directors of the St. John and St. Stephen Church Home. In his professional life, Dick was a Past President of the Insurance Institute of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Insurance Brokers. Dick was also an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Board and as an Elder. In his leisure time, Dick enjoyed gardening, reading, and sailing (being a former member of the Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club), and was an avid hockey fan. He and Marjorie wintered in Largo, Florida, for many years. In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by his children, June Stone (Heath) of St. Andrews, Heather Marsten of Dartmouth, Robert Connell of Calgary, Gary Connell (Brenda) of Saint John, Jo-Anne McGee of Saint John, and Richard Connell (Mary) of Saint John; grandchildren Jeremy McGee, Natasha Douthwright, Jaclyn Meahan, Rebecca Connell, Emily Stone, and Roslyn Stone; a sister, Dr. Helen Marsten of Riceville; a close cousin, Wilma Slaney of Saint John; and several nieces and nephews. Dick was predeceased by a brother, Hedley Marsten. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Thursday, November 11, 2010 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held from Grace Presbyterian Church on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place at a later date in the Hay Settlement Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the St. John and St. Stephen Church Home, the Alzheimer Society, or to any charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.