Donor Highlight

David Marsh is blessed. Many build a successful business once, but few are clever enough to build multiple businesses. David has survived the peaks and valleys of the business world. Today, he is more successful than ever. Not only because of his phenomenal achievement, but more importantly, because David realizes that success is sweeter when you can share it with others.

Determination is at the root of every good business man, but it is compassion that determines the heart of a great man. When David began the ever-important process of developing his will, he decided to share his blessings with those in need by including the ministries of the Missionary Oblates in his will. In this way, he will continue his legacy.

His path to success began in 1947, when David quit high school and left his hometown of Des Plaines, Illinois, to join the army. He served with 20 other soldiers in the ski troops. This extraordinary unit was trained to persevere in high altitudes and snowy slopes during winter warfare.

Soon, David returned home to care for his father who had fallen ill. Despite not having his high school diploma, he found a job in sales. After prospering in the sales industry, David decided that he wanted more. At the tender age of 19, with $10 in his pocket, he

began building his first business. After years of hard work, David’s remodeling business was thriving. The successful young man was doing so well that he planned to retire at the age of 30.

Just as he was feeling invincible, tragedy struck. David was in a serious car accident. It left him incapable of early retirement. Even worse, he watched helplessly as his company fell apart and nearly went bankrupt. It took ten years to finally settle his debts. When many would have waved the white flag, David was determined to succeed. He used his experience and knowledge to quickly resurrect his old business. It grew so rapidly that soon, he wasn’t just remodeling houses, he was building them.

After retiring from his construction business, he decided to try his hand in auto sales. Predictably, his dealership, Eagle Ridge Motors in Florida, is doing well.

As he considered his many triumphs, David wanted to give something back to the world. He called the Missionary Oblates and told us that he would like to support our worldwide mission of serving the world’s poor by including us in his will.

Today, David is a wealthy man with much to be thankful for. While he may attribute his success to determination, the Missionary Oblates will tell you that it is his selfless compassion for the poor that truly makes him great.