Reginald Steele Marsh, MAS, former owner of Thousand Oaks, California, supplier Graven Image, passed away on December 3. Known to all as “Reg” or “Reggie,” he had celebrated his 91st birthday just two days earlier.
Marsh was an active member of the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) for more than 45 years, participating in both the regional association’s management and volunteering at its trade shows, committees and events. He had twice served as vice president of the SAAC Board, and held terms as board secretary/treasurer and membership chair. He was a SAAC Honorary Life Member and honored with the SAAC Mover and Shaker Award.
He was also a dedicated member of PPAI, serving on numerous committees and advisory groups over the years. A two-time member of the Suppliers Committee, he also volunteered on the Awards Committee, the Awards Advisory Group, the Suppliers Advisory Group, the Public Relations Advisory Group, the Government Advisory Council and the PPAI Conventions Advisory Council. In 2014, he was honored with the PPAI RAC Volunteer of the Year award.
Originally from Essex Falls, New Jersey, Marsh came from a long line of artists and musicians, including his uncle and namesake Reginald Marsh, a renowned painter and illustrator whose artwork was displayed throughout New York City including exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art.
Marsh held a variety of jobs before joining the Air Force to serve in 1944 and again during the Korean War. In 1963, he married his wife, Karen (now deceased), and relocated to Thousand Oaks, a place the couple called home for more than half a century.
He later honed his craft as a master engraver and opened his engraving business, Graven Image, which served the promotional products industry for more than 45 years. He retired from the business in 2015.
He was also an avid poker player and golfer, hitting his first hole-in-one at age 89. Marsh is remembered as a caring, kind and giving man who was a true gentleman with a big smile and even bigger heart, and he will be missed by many.
He is survived by his brother Peter Marsh (wife Donna) of Monrovia, California; sister Janet Hunt of Lambertville, New Jersey; nieces Anne White (husband Denis) of Corvallis, Oregon, and Janet Demeter (husband Barry) of Agua Dulce, California; nephews Tom Hunt (wife Kathrine) of Stockton, New Jersey, Peter Hunt of Lambertville, New Jersey and Dana Marsh of Bloomington, Indiana; great-nieces Dorothy White, Jessica White, Leah Hunt, and Sophie Demeter, and great-nephew James Hunt.
A burial at sea and a memorial service will be held early next year.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Marsh’s favorite charity, named after a grand-nephew who passed away from cancer just before his fourth birthday: Jack’s Angels Foundation, 32520 Wagon Wheel Rd., Santa Clarita, California 91390; www.jacksangelsfoundation.com; Tax ID: 46-1320003.