Obituary of Kevin Roy Marsh

To watch the recording of the service, click this link:

https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/133479495

KEVIN ROY MARSH

March 8,1961-March 20,2024

It is with a broken heart that I wish to announce the untimely passing of my beloved husband, Kevin, at Royal University Hospital Saskatoon, on the afternoon of March 20th.

I cannot begin to describe how painful it is to write down these words and to try to encapsulate his extraordinary life in a few short paragraphs. However, knowing Kevin so well and his playfully snarky side, he would undoubtedly be ordering me to keep this short and sweet; I’ll try my best to honour your wishes, sweetie.

Kevin was a unique and brilliant man who mostly enjoyed simple pleasures. He loved to watch “footie” (soccer), was a Watford supporter, and coached me on the finer points of the game (of course!). In time I, too, grew to love watching “the beautiful game” with him on TV. He loved old arthouse films by Bergman and Kurosawa, amongst others – almost every Saturday night was movie and popcorn night with us! Kevin also was a voracious reader and audiophile, accumulating an extensive library of books and music in his lifetime.

As well, he possessed a keen knowledge and appreciation for an eclectic array of musical styles – everything from Mahler to Sinatra to Zappa. But Kevin’s main passion was all things trombone (of which he owned and played several throughout his life). He would often tell me how hard and long he practiced playing in his younger years, when he was briefly a student in the University of Regina music program. Spending all night in Darke Hall, sometimes blowing so hard he could taste blood, he recalled. His musical prowess on the trombone was beyond impressive, and his almost encyclopedic knowledge of the instrument and accompanying pedagogy constantly amazed me; I used to call him the “Bone Yoda.” However, he also played the tuba, euphonium, baritone, and guitar.

Kevin involved himself with several bands and ensembles, most notably a 1983-1989 stint in Ottawa performing with the Ceremonial Guard and Governor General’s Footguards bands, respectively, attaining the rank of sergeant. He always loved to regale me with many colourful stories about this time in his life (“back when I was a man,” he would kid). He made many friends there, some of whom he continued to keep in contact with up until his passing. He did well over 600 parades on Parliament Hill, and credited “the kindly sergeant majors” as he put it, for instilling in him discipline, mental and physical strength, and organizational skills- all qualities that he carried with him to the end. Along with his time in Ottawa, he had many other friends and colleagues in the musical community, both here and afar.

In December 1989, Kevin embarked on a 35 year career at Canada Post, most of it spent as a letter carrier. He was set to retire in April of this year. I am also a letter carrier; it was so nice that we had that shared work experience to support each other during the highs and lows of the job. All he wanted to do in his retirement he would tell me, was sit in the backyard, sipping his tea and bird watch. And, of course, go fishing with me again this spring….. life can be so devastatingly cruel and unfair.

My dear Kevin was an incredibly gifted, handsome, charming, witty, stubborn yet lovable man. He was a wonderful father to his beautiful daughter, Claire, whom he adored. He could certainly come across as being a very stoical, irascible, and cynical person to those who didn’t know him well. Yet behind that outwardly appearance there lay a truly soft-hearted human being who was kind, generous, patient, thoughtful and almost Zen-like in his desire for simplicity and a lack of material possessions.

My love, know that I am so very grateful that you were in my life, albeit for only an achingly short while. I hold the memory of the life we shared and your steadfast love for me in my heart forever. Until we meet again, Godspeed my Little Badger.

“The song is ended but the melody lingers on."

Kevin will be forever remembered by his loving wife, Melanie; his daughter from a previous marriage Claire (partner Siarra Riehl); as well as countless other family and friends who knew and loved him dearly. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Kevin's Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, April 1st, 2024 from Saskatoon Funeral Home  at 2:00 p.m.