James F. Marquardt, of Skaneateles, passed away with his family at his side on October 16, 2020 at the age of 92. Jim was born in Syracuse on March 9, 1928 to Frederick L. Marquardt and Helen Metzger Marquardt. The middle of three children, Jim grew up happily on Whitwell Drive, spending countless hours playing baseball in Schiller Park and tennis at the Sedgwick Tennis Club. Jim attended Salem Hyde School, Central High and the College of Engineering at Syracuse University. In the 1950s Jim served in the U.S. Army, stationed primarily at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Jim spent his entire 44-year career at General Electric as a design electrical engineer, working on projects ranging from the radar systems implemented to enable the Berlin Airlift, to sonar systems designed for our nation’s submarine fleet.
Jim had a deep love for the Skaneateles community where he raised his family, as well as the Grand Harbor community in Vero Beach, Florida where he spent his truly golden years. The game of golf was the pleasure of Jim’s life, his fondest memories were those spent on the links with his family and friends. And, it was through the game of golf that he met the love of his life, Nancy Fulmer Marquardt, at Drumlins Country Club in 1962. Jim was a man of great Christian faith and was happiest when surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren of whom he was so proud, and his beautiful bride whom he cherished so dearly.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy Marquardt; his daughter Melissa Marquardt of Boston; his son Bill (Bridget) Marquardt of Skaneateles; along with his beloved grandchildren, Lilly, Jack and Grace Marquardt; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Robert Marquardt of Syracuse, New York and his sister Marian Birge of Barneveld, New York.
A private funeral Mass will be held St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles followed by a private burial in Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Skaneateles Community Center Endowment Fund c/o CNY Community Foundation, 431 East Fayette Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, New York 13202 or to The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, in memory of James Marquardt, made payable to MIT, citing Fund #2982900 and mailed to Memorial Gifts Office, 600 Memorial Drive, W98-500, Cambridge, MA 02139.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
