James Dennis Marsalek, age 76, of Towson, MD, passed away peacefully on January 2nd, 2024 after a 10 year bout with Parkinson's. A teacher, musician, poet, writer, orator, humorist and Army Reserve vet, Jim was an amazing perceptive intellectual of his time. Jim was born on July 26th, 1947 to Wenceslaus Frank Marsalek and Catherine Ruth Bean in Baltimore, MD. Part of the first graduating class from Curley High School in 1965, James went on to get his Bachelor's of Arts with English Literature from Loyola University in Baltimore in 1969. Later in 1974 he attained a Masters of Liberal Arts from John Hopkins with a English Literature focus.

Jim met MaryAnne Zahirsky in Baltimore and married on April 17th, 1971. They went on to have 2 children, fraternal twin boys Nick and Dave Marsalek. Jim and Maryanne were ardently involved with Marriage Encounter through the 70s into the 90s, a connector with other like-minded families and a means to write, speak openly and honestly as a couple. Jim was predeceased by his father Wenceslaus Marsalek, son Nick Marsalek, mother Ruth Marsalek and brother Tom Marsalek. He is survived by his loving wife MaryAnne Marsalek, son Dave Marsalek, daughter-in-law Ausra Marsalek and grandsons Evan and Nolan Marsalek.

An avid intellectual with deep interests in history and philosophy, Jim held lifelong interest in exploring Eastern arts through studying Zen, Daoist, Hindu writings and rabidly read and wrote poetry, letters, and journaled. A hardcore garage saler, Jim spent his Saturdays between the 1980s-early 2000s hunting the likes of Roland Park and his favorite "hunting ground" Rodger's Forge. His love for beach meets water and sun, led his family annually to the beaches and bays of Fenwick Island, DE, and encouraging his family to "Be the ocean". Adoring the Beats, especially writers Allen Ginsberg as well as folk, rock and psychedelic rockstars of the midlate 60s, Jim loved the likes of The Beatles, Peter Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix. He played guitar throughout his life until the end and sang in a folk trio from High school through College. At Loyola University Jim was instrumental in producing and contributing to the local poetry publication IGNIS.

His diverse and eclectic interests led Jim to have multiple career paths that weaved and intermingled between teaching and the public/private sector. Through the early-late 1970s, Jim was a teacher at Curley High School and Adjunct Professor at Essex CC, University of Baltimore, Community College of Baltimore and Catonsville CC before becoming an instructor with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare for Mathematics, Reading and English Skills. From the late 70s through early 90s, Jim worked as a Sector Chief & Program Manager with the Department of Housing and Community Development in the City of Baltimore before jumping to Howard County in the late 80s as Assistant Director with the Dept of Citizen Services. The 90s saw Jim work with the Northwest Baltimore Corp, Institute of Notre Dame and MD Dept of Human resources, working as a grant writer, managing financial campaigns and as a program analyst. By the early 2000s his career brought him back to his love for teaching before retiring in 2013. Jim taught several major subjects at The Jemicy School for several years before becoming an adjunct Professor at Stevenson's University, where he taught English studies and writing. At Jemicy he was named "Teacher of the Year in 2006 by school yearbook.

James Marsalek had an immense love for community and became founder & President of the Heathbrook neighborhood in northern Baltimore spanning the 1970s -2017. Jim and his family's efforts were honored in 2021 by Mary Pat Clark with the city tributing and renaming the Heathbrook Park, just east of Falls Rd on Roland Heights Avenue, to THE MARSALEK FAMILY PARK.

James Marsalek was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2013, supported by his wife MaryAnne Marsalek and many lovely, skilled caretakers, battling the disease in his final 10 years. A memorial, celebrating Jim's amazing life, will be held around Easter weekend at the Annunciation Church in Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to MAPS (Maryland Association for Parkinson's Support) on Jim's behalf.