John Thomas Marson

Passed away suddenly at his home in Dwight on May 12, 2025 in his 75th year.

The Marson family moved from Thornhill in Toronto to Huntsville in 1961. Parents, Roy John Marson and Margaret June Marson, purchased a resort on the Oxtongue River called Timber Trail and moved the family to Oxtongue Lake in 1965. It was here that John grew up and where a good work ethic was fostered at the resort by pumping gas, checking the oil and renting boats and canoes to guests. He learned general maintenance of the cabins and accompanied his father on spring and fall inspections. John's warm and engaging spirit made people of all backgrounds feel comfortable and welcome at the family resort. John attended public school at Pine Glen and graduated from Huntsville High School. His keen interest in photography prompted him to study at Ryerson in Toronto. He continued his love of photography as a casual hobby. His grampa Thomas Grimes, of whom John was named after, always told him "you are going to be a carpenter" John always said "no grampa I want to do photography" Gramps was right. John had a keen eye and a strong arm making him the perfect candidate for carpentry work. At first he just made smaller wood pieces as he honed his skills, but he was fortunate to take a log home scribing course offered by Allan Mackie from BC on building log homes which changed the course of his life. John built a few log homes in the Oxtongue Lake area and garnered great respect for his attention to detail, along with amazement at his skill of working predominantly on his own to create them. Mother June Marson, bought a piece of property near the family resort so that John would always have a place to live near the land he loved so much. It was here at his property that John made his cabin a place of peace to heal after the tragic loss of his wife BettyAnn and baby Joel in a fire at Timber Trail in 1980. After difficult years of adjusting to life alone, John found peace in the woods and nature surrounding him. His love of nature, animals and birds grew and it started to fill the hole left in his heart. His unique one of a kind wood creations started selling to both locals and visitors to the area so he hung up a sign "Nature's Wood Work" to announce his craft. Many people around Oxtongue Lake and afar own a piece of his work in the form of custom birdhouses, hand painted bird plaques, furniture pieces, garden arbours, gates, screen doors and much more. His workmanship and abilities shone in his wood crafts and it made him happy. Feeding the birds was a favourite pastime and he always made sure they were looked after and fed like clockwork. John also had a green thumb and he developed a love of gardening and so he created a raised bed area that he supplemented with containers to expand his growing space. A visit with John was always refreshing, as the simple life he lived showed others how little one really needs in life to have peace and happiness, After enduring such extreme loss and sadness, he learned how to pull himself together and live in peace and harmony with a loving and giving spirit. This he did not do alone for his faith and belief in God was very strong. He also had the caring community of Oxtongue Lake surrounding him, who would check on him and come to his aide if needed. Friends and family have fond memories of visiting John at his cabin and one always left with more than what they came with. The last years of his life were made more comfortable and sustaining by his friend Tony Ourique, who made great efforts and personal sacrifice to improve John's life by upgrading the property with a well, providing running water and indoor facilities, upgrading electrical systems, tv and telephone improvements and much more that made his life more manageable as he aged. John will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Remember his kind and giving spirit and honour John's memory by embracing his love of nature.

John is predeceased by his beloved wife BettyAnn (nee Watts) and his dear son Joel Marson, his parents Roy and Margaret Marson and eldest sister, Margaret Collins. Survived by his sister Janine Marson.  John will be missed by the many who were fortunate to have known him.

John will be laid to rest beside his wife and child on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Hutcheson Memorial Cemetery at 11:00 am.