Jay Marsh

Leonard “Jay” Marsh, known to family and friends simply as Jay and remembered for his kind, thoughtful, and handy nature, passed away on June 6, 2026, in Hackensack, New Jersey, at the age of 60.

Born on November 5, 1965, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Jay spent his life with the kind of steady, practical charm that made people trust him with a wrench, a recipe, or a problem that needed solving. He was the sort of man who could look at a stubborn engine, a leaky pipe, or a half-finished project and somehow make it all seem less like a crisis and more like a challenge with a punchline. Jay graduated from Passaic Valley Regional High School in 1984, and from there he carried himself through life with the same straightforward determination that served him well in school, at work, and in every garage, driveway, and kitchen where he found himself at home.

He was formerly employed at Advanced Waterproofing Co. of Little Falls, where his work ethic and reliability were appreciated by those who knew what it meant to get a job done right the first time. Jay was not the type to make a big speech about effort. He simply showed up, did the work, and made it look easier than it was. That was part of his gift. He had a way of being useful without making a production out of it, which is a rare and underrated talent in any era.

An automotive enthusiast through and through, Jay reveled in cars and trucks, and “Jay’s Garage” was his happy place. It was more than a workspace. It was a sanctuary, a laboratory, and, on some days, a courtroom where old engines were judged. If a vehicle had character, Jay appreciated it. If it had rust, he saw potential. If it had a problem, he saw a project, and he did it with patience, skill, and the knowledge that some things are worth saving.

Jay also enjoyed cooking, and like everything else he did, he approached it with a mix of practicality and personality. He knew that good food, like good company, did not need to be fancy to be memorable. He was equally happy helping friends and neighbors with odd jobs whenever called upon, which meant that if something needed fixing, lifting, assembling, or figuring out, Jay was often the man who showed up with the right tools and the right attitude. He was the kind of neighbor people hoped to have and the kind of friend people were grateful to keep.

He was predeceased by his wife, the former Arkia’ Dyqua (nee McKay) Marsh, on February 1, 2020, and by his father, Leonard John Marsh, in 2001. Those losses were deeply felt, and they remain part of the story of a life that held both joy and sorrow with dignity. Jay carried his love for his family with him always, and those bonds shaped the man he became.

He is survived by his mother, Barbara Dale (nee Stout) Marsh; his two sisters, Tracy Ogden Ellam of Kensington, California, and Robin Dale Horn of Clifton, New Jersey; and his brother, Lance Bradley Marsh of Los Angeles, California. His family will remember not only what he did, but how he did it, with steadiness, humor, and a willingness to help that never seemed to run out.

Jay had the kind of personality that could make ordinary moments feel a little lighter. He understood that life does not always run smoothly, and he met that truth with a practical grin and a sense of humor that helped everyone else keep going. As the great Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” Jay would have appreciated that line, especially if it came with a carburetor, a good meal, or a reason to laugh in the middle of a long day.

Those who knew Jay will remember a man who was dependable without being dull, funny without trying too hard, and generous in the ways that matter most. He was the kind of person who made life easier simply by being in it. He leaves behind memories of hard work, trucks and cars, good food, and the unmistakable comfort of someone who could fix what was broken, or at least make you feel better while he tried.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at Bizub-Parker Funeral Home, 47 Main St., Little Falls followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm. Those wishing to express their sympathies may consider a contribution to in Jay’s memory to  National Organization for Rare Diseases, Inc., Dept. 5930, PO Box 4110, Woburn, MA 01888 www.rarediseases.org (617)-249- 7300

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jay Marsh, please visit our floral store.