11/18/2025
Tallie Howard Marsh of Elmira, NY passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, at the age of 94 with his family at his side. He was born on June 18, 1931, to Anna and Howard Marsh in Taylor, PA. He had a wonderful childhood in Taylor and built many special friendships that lasted a lifetime. Tallie graduated from high school in 1949, was class president of his sophomore and senior years, and loved playing on the baseball and basketball teams throughout high school. It was school, sports and antics with a tight group of buddies, and not always in that specific order. Tallie enlisted and served two years in the United States Army from 1954 - 1956, stationed in Fort Dix, NJ, Beale Air Force Base, CA and St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. He graduated from Mansfield College in 1958 where he met the love of his life, Louise Griffin. They were married seven months later and celebrated 68 wonderful years together before her passing in 2023. He received his Master’s Degree from Bucknell University with an emphasis on American History and Political Science. He was an avid reader throughout his lifetime, specifically of historical biographies and US history. Tallie was employed for 32 years in the Elmira City School District, primarily Broadway and Southside HS, as a history teacher and guidance counselor. He always loved his job of teaching young adults and guiding them to the next phase of their life. It was always heartwarming to see how many former students fondly remembered “Mr. Marsh” and were eager to engage him in conversation. Tallie and Louise hosted an exchange student from Brazil, Adriana, and she came back to Elmira for a visit after forty years. The happiness that brought him at the age of 92 was immeasurable. Tallie was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church, starting with the boys’ choir at St. Luke’s in Scranton, PA. As an adult he was a member of Trinity Church in Elmira and served on the Vestry for two terms. There was nothing more important to him than family and he enjoyed all the special moments along the way as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved travelling with Louise to visit historical sites, winters in Florida, and summer visits to Cape Cod, his very special happy place for 60 years. He was lucky enough at the age of 94 to spend two weeks on the Cape this past summer. Over the years he played golf, cheered on the Red Sox, spent time with great friends, and for many years he enjoyed hunting deer, pheasant and grouse with his son and friends. Tallie will undoubtedly be remembered by family and friends as a kind, loving and honest man with an amazing sense of humor. He was genuine and always interested in the people he cared for, conversations he had with them, and always following up and checking in again. He will be dearly missed by all. Tallie is survived by his loving children, Ellen (Lyle) Death of Orchard Park, NY and Tallie (Colleen) Marsh of Woodstock, VT; grandchildren, Sara (Baker) Thompson, Amy (Larry) Seivert, Landon Marsh and Jack Marsh; great-grandchildren, Ellie, Penny and Paige Thompson and Levi, Lucy, Eliza and Maeve Seivert; Sister-in-law Dolores (late Albert) Wheeler, brother-in-law Bob (Sandra) Griffin, many nieces/nephews and devoted niece, Marie Smith; predeceased by his loving wife, his parents, and his sister Geraldine Hayes. Our family will be forever grateful to Marnita Brown who cared for our Dad in every way possible, made his life easier and became one of his very best friends. Thank you to Dianna, Karyn, Dan, Haley, Diane and Molly for the very special care and friendship they provided Tallie. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at Caywood’s Funeral Home & Gardens, 1126 Broadway St. Elmira, NY on Saturday, December 6th. Family greeting 11:30, service at 12:00, followed by a lunch celebration at Bernie Murray’s Restaurant, 500 S. Main St. Elmira, NY 14904 In lieu of flowers, if you wish, a memorial donation may be made to one of Tallie’s favorite charities: Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306; Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105.
