Marshall P. Deasy lll, 75, “Deece” died peacefully at his home in New Bloomfield, PA on
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 surrounded by his family. Born July 26, 1947, he spent most of his
young life in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted, CT. Marshall was the eldest child of
Marshall Porter Deasy, Jr. and Shirley (Ducharme) Deasy both of whom predeceased him.
Marshall was married to his one true love, Alice (Stenson) Deasy who predeceased him in
2011. He leaves behind two sons; Marshall P. Deasy IV and Steven M. Deasy, (Janelle
Johnson) residing in PA, and one grandchild, Braedon Johnson-Deasy. Marshall was
predeceased by his brother Michael P. Deasy and is survived by his sister-in-law, Deborah
(Kavanaugh) Deasy and his remaining siblings; Dinah Coleman (Dennis) of West Hartford,
Timothy Deasy (Lynn) of Norfolk and Melissa Ginsburg of Andover, CT. Deece had over 20
first cousins in the Barkhamsted area and spent many happy hours with them at West Hill
Lake. He also had 7 nieces and nephews and 7 grandnieces and grandnephews. Marshall
attended the Northwestern Connecticut Community College before joining the Navy in 1969.
While in the Navy working as a Hospital Corpsman, Marshall spent 14 months on the USS
WASP and traveled the world. He and his family spent three years on Midway Island and four
on Guam-years of deep sea fishing adventures. After retiring as a Navy Chief in 1989,
Marshall worked for the PA Department of Health in the Bureau of Epidemiology. Marshall
worked closely with the PA Game Commission on Chronic Wasting Disease in white-tailed
deer. He collected mosquitoes and dead birds to research the West Nile virus and deer mice
to study the transmission of Hantavirus. He investigated numerous bat infestations and was
instrumental in installing bat houses along the Juniata River to lure bats and establish nesting
areas. If there was an issue with rabies or bats in PA, he was the expert to call. Marshall’s
expertise included foodborne outbreaks of salmonella and e coli and botulism outbreaks
linked to baby formula. He was passionate about keeping county State Health centers open
to benefit the underserved population who had limited access to affordable health care. He
retired from the DOH in 2012. Deece was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener, and antique
collector and dedicated his life to catching every type of snake and critter imaginable. His
insatiable curiosity and knowledge of birds, animals and reptiles was unprecedented. He
took pride telling stories of being “asked to vacate” at least one apartment and a hotel after
his snakes escaped. In recent years he enjoyed being a member of the Hunters Valley
Sportsman’s Association in Liverpool, PA and spending every late summer boating, fishing
and playing cards with his family and friends at Hawk’s Nest Beach in Old Lyme, CT. There are
no calling hours and burial will be at the convenience of the family. Charitable contributions
in Marshall’s name may be made to Radiant Hope (www.hisradianthope.org/donate) Radiant
Hope, 619 Mumper Lane, Dillsburg PA 17019 or the “Join Hands Ministry”, North 51 S. Church
Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068.