Alumni Spotlight
EHSA says ‘Thank You’ and bids a fond farewell to Richard Marson ’51
by Michael Thomas ’67, President & CEO of The English High School Association
Dick Marson was a friend of many alumni, the longest-tenured EHSA Board Member ever and a generous supporter of English High School
Dick Marson was one of a kind. He was a dedicated, loyal, and enthusiastic alumnus of the English High School Class of 1951. He grew up at 35 Greycliff Road in Brighton and he’d tell you he had a ‘tough’ life with an ironic smile. Dick became the longest-tenured EHSA Board Member ever, serving as a Director, Treasurer and on Hall of Fame Committees. In October of 2022 he was there with us at our 200th Anniversary Gala.
At English High, Dick won the prestigious Lawrence Prize for academic excellence then went on to Harvard, graduating with a Physical Sciences degree in 1955. Dick played football and threw the shot put in track. Our standing joke was that while attending English High on Warren Street in the South End of Boston, he had to commute to football practice, taking a train and bus to Billings Field. After practice he then took two buses and if he was lucky, a trolley came by while he walked the final two miles to his home. The Kingston Trio song, Charlie on the MTA, had nothing on him! Upon graduation from college, he joined the family business.
Richard Marson ’51, with Vivian, his wife of 68 years, at the English High 200th Anniversary Gala in October, 2022.
Dick got to work in the family business his whole life running Newcan Company with his brother, David and his niece, Marsha. Hence, his sarcastic comment about a ‘tough life’ while sitting on his vacation home porch on Stinson Lake, NH. For decades, his wife of 68 years, Vivian, would relate he never missed a Harvard football game (500) nor an English alumni Board meeting. Up to last November Vivian, would regularly drop him off the alumni office to attend Board meetings.
