David J. “Carrot” Marsh,             “beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend”

COUDERSPORT, PA—David J. “Carrot” Marsh, 66, of Coudersport, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Born on Sunday, August 2, 1959 in Burlington, Vermont, he was a son of John A. Marsh and Levia T. Hall Marsh.  On October 7, 2023, he married Paula L. Roberts, who survives.

David dedicated his life to the pipeline industry, beginning his career immediately after graduating from high school. He started as a laborer and earned his way through every level of the trade, working in the rock gang, drilling and blasting, and taking on whatever job needed to be done. His strong work ethic and determination quickly became the foundation of a remarkable career.

From a young age, David dreamed of becoming a welder. With the help of his stepfather, he purchased his first Lincoln SA-200 welding machine and spent countless days and nights in his garage teaching himself the craft. Through relentless practice, studying welding manuals, learning formulas, and mastering the mathematics behind fabrication, he developed into an exceptional welder and fabricator. He often spent layoffs building projects for friends and family in his garage. Around town, people knew that if you took it to “Carrot,” it would be done right.

In the late 1980s, David earned his place as a pipeline welder—a milestone he had worked tirelessly to achieve. In 1998, he joined Pipeliners Local 798, where he proudly served as a welder, job steward, and welder foreman. Throughout his career, he became known as a fair, well-respected leader who never backed down from a challenge. He lived by the philosophy, “Can’t get it, can’t stay,” believing that if you couldn’t do the job, you wouldn’t last. It was a mindset that drove him to constantly improve, work harder, and find a way through every obstacle. Failure was never an option.

Over the course of his career, David worked for numerous pipeline contractors and earned welding certifications for nearly every major natural gas company in the United States. His reputation for quality workmanship, integrity, and leadership followed him wherever he worked. After decades of dedication to the trade he loved, David retired in 2019, leaving behind a legacy of craftsmanship, perseverance, and respect that will be remembered by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

David was a 25 year member of Pipeliners Local 798 and a 25 year member of Sons of American Legion Potter Post 192 in Coudersport.  He retired from Piperliners Local 798 and from United Steelworkers Union of America.

David’s family was the most important aspect of his life, they meant everything to him.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Paula; his two sons, Joshua D. (Heather Stacknick) Marsh and Travis A. Marsh; a granddaughter, Hailie Marsh; two stepdaughters, Heather Flink and Trisha Flink; six step-grandchildren; a sister, Levia “Abbie” (Paul) Pritchard; a brother, Michael (Maggie) Crosby; a stepbrother, Lyle Dynda: many nieces, nephews, co-workers, and friends, including Jake Turner.

In addition to his parents, David was predeceased by his stepfather, Raymond “Fritz” Friedl; and his stepmother, Patricia “Sis” Friedl.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for David beginning at 3:30pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Coudersport American Legion, Buffalo Street, Coudersport.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in David’s name may be made to the Sons of the American Legion, 2 Buffalo Street, Coudersport, PA 16915 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

David’s family entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, Funeral Director/Owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of David, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.