AUBURN – Bernard Ralph Marcus, 90, known locally as “Barney,” died Saturday, Jan. 15, due to complications from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Born in Fitchburg, Mass., on April 4, 1914, and raised in Milford, Mass., Barney was the oldest of three children.

He attended schools in Milford, Mass., graduating from Milford High School in 1932. Those years marked the beginning of his exceptional sports career. While in high school, Barney was a two-sport varsity player and he received the school’s award for top student-athlete.

After spending a post-graduate year at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass., Barney enrolled in Bates College, graduating in 1937. While there, he made his mark as a three-varsity sports sensation. His biggest accolades were in football, for which he still holds an unbeaten 102 yard kickoff return. Barney was named to All-Maine and All-NE College Football teams. He was also recruited by the N.Y. Giants and The Philadelphia Eagles pro-football teams, but chose to pursue a career in dentistry.

Following college, Barney attended Harvard Dental School, graduating in 1942. During dental school, he played two years of semi-pro football for the Portland Sagamores.

During World War II, Barney was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, providing dentistry aboard ships in the Aleutian Islands, Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

In 1945, he met and married his lifetime companion, of 59 years, Clara (Brownie) J. Roberts.

Following the war, they moved to Auburn and Barney established a dental practice, from which he retired in 1985. He and his wife, Brownie, had four daughters and together they created a wonderful family life for them.

Barney continued to be active in sports throughout his life. He sailed, golfed, biked and skied until his 86th year. Three final sports honors include his induction into the Milford High School, Lewiston/Auburn and Maine Sports Halls of Fame.

Barney was a role model for his children; he lived life with gusto, took chances and was optimistic about life’s possibilities. He was kind, fair and he gave to his community in endless ways. He had no patience for bigotry and he lived his beliefs. He opened his home to strangers and friends alike and he always had a story to tell.

His beloved wife, Brownie, died Aug. 1, 2004.

He is survived by his four daughters, Carla, Gerry, Patti and Paula; sons-in-law, Larry Mohr, Paul Koch and Thomas Platz; six grandchildren, Gillian and Erica Schair, Margot Koch and Joe, Adam and Molly Platz; and two great-granchildren, Maya and Eli Schair Rigoletti.

He was predeceased by his mother, Rose; father, Charles; brother, Harold; and sister, Anita.

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