John F. Marder, Jr

John F. Marder, Jr.
Founding Headmaster of Harbor Day School
November 26, 1929 – January 7, 2012

John F. Marder, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 7th, surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Binghamton, New York, the son of John and May Marder and grew up in Dunellen, New Jersey. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Cortland State Teachers College in Cortland, New York and his Master’s Degree from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. While attending Cortland, he played varsity lacrosse and was member of the Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity. He taught in the New York and New Jersey public schools, at Far Hills Country Day School in New Jersey, and at Marin Country Day School before relocating to Newport Beach in 1967 as headmaster of the small Episcopal school which was to become Harbor Day School under his leadership. John was the epitome of a professional educator.
John served in the United States Army and was stationed at the 97th General Hospital in Frankfort, Germany where he worked as a physical therapist, helping children who were stricken with polio. During his career in education, he served as president of the California Association of Independent Schools, president of the Elementary Schools Heads Association, member of Country Day School Heads Association, chairman of the Educational Records Bureau, and member of the Board of Directors of Phoenix House. He was a member of El Viaje de Portola, the Orange County Round Table, and the Board of Directors of the Newport Beach Country Club.
Taking leadership in 1967, John F. Marder, Jr. helped establish Harbor Day School as the first independent school in Orange County, laying the foundation for the flourishing school it is today. Upon his retirement from Harbor Day School in 1993 after serving as headmaster for 26 years, a plaque in his honor was placed in the entry to the school. It states “His excellence as an educator, his integrity, and his sense of humor have generated a sense of pride and self esteem in those who have been touched by his life. His 26 years of dedication were for the children. His legacy is Harbor Day School.”
John is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Lucinda; his brothers Fred R. Marder and Walter S. Marder (Linna), his children, John F. Marder III (Candy) and Cynthia Marder Small (Ron); his stepchildren, Andrea Curtis and Matthew Stewart; his grandchildren, Jeffrey Tyson (Brandi), Matthew Small (Jeanette), Samantha Gladwell (Dan), Christopher Marder, Kimberly Small, and Ryan Marder; and his great-grandson, Landon Lee Small.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, January 14th at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Harbor Day School for the John F. Marder, Jr. Fund for Faculty Development. Harbor Day School, 3443 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.