Charlie, whose real name was Charles E. Marsh, Jr., is dearly missed by the people of the picturesque Delaware town of Rehoboth Beach. From his humble beginnings as a Beebe Baby to his meteoric rise to fame as a horse trainer, Charlie’s story is one of unfaltering devotion to horses, family, and the Sussex County community.
Charles E. Marsh, Jr.: January 31, 2024
Charlie Marsh courageously battled cancer for 75 years before passing away on Monday, January 29, 2024. Charlie was born into a family with strong ties to Sussex County, and his family tree traces back 350 years to the golden cross between the Marsh and Paynter families.
A Rehoboth High School Graduate and Beebe Baby
Charlie was an outstanding athlete in his younger years and a proud Beebe Baby who graduated from Rehoboth High School in 1966. He was the quintessential small-town athlete, participating in every sport offered by the school while donning the No. 34 football jersey. Rehoboth Avenue was my childhood home. Charlie grew up in a large, loving family of nine, and many of his cherished childhood memories center on the times he spent laughing and playing with his siblings.
The Life and Work of a Horseman
Charlie’s life’s path was shaped by his unwavering devotion to horses. Taking the reins of harness horses and traveling tracks from Delaware to New York State and New England began when he was a teenager, all for his father’s stable. During his peak years of 1986–1991, he trained horses for Jay Prettyman at Sea Star Stables, opened his own stable next to Jungle Jim’s off Route 1, and became well-known in the industry.
Charlie was at the height of his career when he trained champion racehorses, such as the legendary Happy Affair, who won the Grand Circuit. He was an active and respected member of many groups, including the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association, the United States Trotting Association, and the Sons of the American Legion Post 17 at Lewes Beach, and his influence went well beyond the realm of racing.
A Man with Many Skills: Not Just Riding Horses
Charlie’s adaptability went beyond the horse farm. After completing his education at Brandywine College and working as a detective for the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, he went on to lease and run the popular Angler’s Restaurant on Lewes Canal. In addition to his dedication to farming, training, and racing his own stable of horses, he was a skilled manager who oversaw the food service at Shawnee Country Club, Holt Paper Co., and Wagner Food Service.
Legacy Beyond the Racetrack
The Marsh family ran Charley’s Christmas Trees for more than 40 years, which extended Charlie’s influence beyond his professional achievements. Charlie and his family have provided generations of people with the warmth and companionship they cherish, from the property on Rehoboth Avenue Extended to their current location at Jungle Jim’s.
A Family Man Remembered with Love
Leslie loved Charlie as her husband for 38 years. Bo, Steve, Jeff, Bonnie Cunningham, Barbara Huber, Wendy Marsh, and half-sister Charlene all thought the world of him as a brother. His 18 nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews will always cherish his memory.
Honoring Charlie’s Memory: Memorial Service Details
In the midst of their shared sorrow, members of Charlie’s community will gather on Friday, February 9, at 11 a.m. to honor his life. Interment will follow the memorial service at the Marsh Family Cemetery at the Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth, which will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach. Rehoboth Beach is getting ready to say goodbye to a horseman, family man, and community icon named Charles E. Marsh, Jr. His legacy will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to the horses that brought him joy, his passion for life, and his resilience.
