Kris D. Marsala, 63, passed away at his home in Watertown on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 16, from 4 - 7 PM at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 17, at Glenwood Cemetery at 11 AM with Rev. Steven Murray, pastor of Holy Family Church, presiding. Following the graveside service, his family will receive friends for a celebration of his life at Garland City Beer Works from noon to 2 PM.
Kris was born in Watertown on May 18, 1955, son of Charles J. and Edith E. Ouderkirk Marsala. He was a 1973 graduate of Watertown High School and attended North Country Arts Center in Lake Placid. On August 30, 1987 he married Cynthia Swiernik on the Bonnie Bell in the St. Lawrence River with State Supreme Judge George Inglehart officiating. Cindy passed on December 8, 2001.
Before his marriage Kris was the host of Variety Tonight in Norwalk, CT in the mid-eighties. He returned to Watertown after marrying Cindy and from 2000 - 2006, he co-owned, with Chris Nichols, Square Ideas, an advertising and web design company. Kris was the Marketing Director for Bad Boy Energy Drink. He then worked for Perfect Landing Media in video production, its industry publication, and its trade shows. Lately, he was self employed, working as a copy writer, photographer, and videographer.
Kris served as a Watertown City Councilman from 1996 to 1997. He was a member of the Artist’s Guild and the North Country Arts Guild, where he served as president from 2014 - 2016. He enjoyed music and played in the band Impala’s. Kris hosted Lewis County Relay for Life for 10 years. He also enjoyed writing poetry, pottery, painting, and photography.
He is survived by his mother, Edith E. Marsala, Watertown; two daughters, Cassandra L. Marsala, Delray Beach, FL and Isabelle M. Marsala, Buffalo; grandson, Kreighton J. King; significant other, Kaiti A. Glynn, Clayton; brother, David G. Marsala and wife, Debra R., Watertown; sister, Diane L. Brennan and husband, David P., Williamsville; uncle, Frank Beck, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Charles, July 3, 2010, and brother, Greg A. Marsala, June 30, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, his family would like donations in his name to American Cancer Society, earmarked for Lewis County Relay for Life, 6725 Lyons St., East Syracuse, NY 13057. Online condolences to Kris’s family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com.