ORANGE – Private Damien Myles Marble, age 20 of Orange, MA unexpectedly left us on Friday, September 20th, 2024.
Damien was born on January 9th, 2004, at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, MA to Elizabeth MacAdam (Marble) and Robert Dykeman.
Damien stood out from the crowd with his bright red hair. This unique feature also elicited many nicknames, including Ginger, Red Man, Big Red, Pumpkin Spice, and many others all of which he answered proudly.
For most of his childhood, Damien grew up in Orange attending the local elementary schools and junior high at Mahar. Damien and his mom relocated, and he was enrolled in Westfield High School. During his senior year, Damien joined the football team. He enjoyed his time being part of the team and expressed regret that he had not joined earlier. He finished his high school career and graduated in 2022.
Damien loved spending time with his family, playing cards, listening to music, developing characters and background stories for his video game personas, and walking wherever he needed to go or just to pace around. Damien was very passionate about History, Country, and Politics. He was always ready to discuss these topics, share his knowledge, or engage in a healthy debate with you.
From a very young age, Damien desired to serve in the military. As he grew up this dream never wavered, so he enlisted in the Army in April of 2024 and was excited to leave for training later that year in August. Once in training at the 198th Infantry Brigade at Fort Moore Georgia, phone calls home conveyed that all was going well, and he was excited to be on the journey to becoming a Soldier for the US Army.
For reasons we may never know, Damien tragically chose to cut his promising young life short.
Damien leaves behind his mother Elizabeth MacAdam (Marble), stepfather Brad MacAdam, and sister Corrin MacAdam. Grandparents; William Marble, Sr. of Orange, MA, Laura Marble and her partner Gary Suomala of Athol, MA, John and Judy Nye of Athol, MA and Step-Grandparents, Jim and Deb MacAdam of Westfield, MA. Additional survivors include Great-Grandparents, Don and Kay Buzzee of Orange MA, and Betty Bartlett of Athol, MA as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 20th, 2024, at Orange American Legion, 40 Daniel Shays Highway, Orange, MA 01364.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Military Friends Foundation – a local non-profit supporting Massachusetts military families and families of the Fallen – via militaryfriends.org/donate or Military Friends Foundation, 212 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA 01907