James F. Marsfelder

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.” — Etienne de Grellet

James Francis "Jim" Marsfelder of Londonderry, VT died at the age of 78 on July 10, 2025 surrounded by his friends and family. Born the eldest child and only son of James Edward Marsfelder (d. 1957) and Nina Rose Wooding (d. 1956) on October 13, 1946 in Syracuse, NY, Jim was the devoted older brother of Rose Marie Bishop (née Marsfelder) and Susan Elizabeth Pelkey (née Marsfelder). While he was a veteran of the war in Vietnam and earned the rank of Sergeant, among many other honors, his greatest achievement was his storied fifty-year tenure as an exceptional teacher and educator. Particularly close to his heart was the past twenty-three years, which he spent at his beloved Granville Jr./Sr. High School.

Part philosopher, part poet, part dreamer, and all heart, Jim brought his signature combination of kindness, strength, humor, and wisdom wherever he went. Though soft-spoken and contemplative, he was loud about his adoration of and pride in his students. He held them to impeccable standards both inside and outside the classroom and sought to inspire them to become the very best they could be. He cherished his time as the pioneer instructor of Granville's Syracuse University Project Advance program, the coach of many student sports teams, and the director of the Quaker Street Community Players.

Jim was a singular, resilient man who had many stories to tell and many questions to ask of the universe. He never stopped his lifelong pursuit of knowledge or his belief that the world, which had so often been cruel to him, could be a better and kinder place. His absence has left a profound hole in the lives of all who knew and love him, but his memory persists in the hearts and minds of his wife, sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and the countless more he has touched over his career.

“Please, as you face new episodes of your Futures and say soft goodbyes to the Presents, occasionally grasp the kaleidoscopes of your Pasts and through these lenses glimpse the multiplicities of memories and let them be the bright, shining stars to help guide you through these darkest of nights.” — Jim Marsfelder, "A Conversation With Tomorrow"