DUSAN MARSIC age 95, beloved husband of the late Mary (nee Prince); loving father of Martin (wife Maria) and Vera; devoted grandfather of Nicholas and Andreja; cherished son of the late Franjo and Vera (nee Kraut); dearest brother of the late Zdenka Teisl (husband Tihomir deceased) and Bojan (wife Betsy deceased); dear uncle and great-uncle of many.
Dusan “Duke” Marsic was born in Kamnik, Slovenia on March 18, 1925 and died peacefully surrounded by family on December 27, 2020.
Dusan completed his high school education in Ljubljana, Slovenia. His plans to attend University were changed with the onset of World War II. Dusan came to the United States from Austria on November 14, 1949. In 1955 he left Cleveland to attend the Westlake College of Modern Music in Los Angeles for two years. He received a job offer to join the Universal Pictures Studio Orchestra but turned it down to return to family in Cleveland.
In 1962 Dusan married Mary (Prince) and together they ran the Slovenian Village Restaurant on St. Clair Ave. Dusan and Mary were happily married for 43 years having two children, Martin and Vera.
He was an accomplished musician who played the clarinet, saxophone and flute. He was a member of the Pristava Pensioners, the Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame, TABOR (American Slovenian Anti-Communist War Veterans Association) and KSKJ Slovenian Catholic Fraternal. Dusan worked as a woodwind musical instrument inspector at King Musical Instruments.
Although he was best known for his playing with the Duke Marsic and the Happy Slovenians Orchestra, Dusan spent many years playing with local Cleveland Style polka bands including Kenny Bass and Johnny Vadnal. Dusan was very fond of his memories of playing on the road with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Dusan also played with the Rick Kiefer Orchestra and the Joe Howard Orchestra on the One O’clock Club. Dusan played for many years with Don and Rose Slogar, often providing accompaniment for the great Eddie Kenik. In his later years Dusan played with the Stan Mejac Orchestra and the Swingtime Big Band.
Dusan shared his love of music as a music teacher with his many clarinet, saxophone and flute students and his love of his native Slovenia by reporting on news and current events on Tony Petkovsek’s long-running radio show. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed traveling to Slovenia.
Dusan was a humble and quiet man. He was passionate about honoring his Slovenian heritage. He touched many lives with his music and loved spending time with his closest friends, many who were also musicians. He was devoted to his family and will be dearly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Dusan to St. Mary Church or the Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, December 31, 2020 at St. Mary Catholic Church 15519 Holmes Ave, Cleveland at 10 AM. Mass will be livestreamed at St. Mary facebook page https://www.facebook.com/st.maryscollinwood. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Dusan at THE ZEVNIK-COSIC FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) WEDNESDAY 3-8 PM.
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The Hudson-Long Family
Dear Vera and Martin – our hearts and prayers go out to you both and the Maršič Family with the loss of your beloved father – now reunited with your mother whom he loved so much . . . one blessing during this very difficult time. We remember his love for and talent with music and his kind-natured soul – so he will remain in our thoughts as we reflect back on happier days growing up in Ohio. Our most sincere condolences, Ria and Scott, Ina and Jeff, JJ and Emily and our furry loved ones
Ronny Munoz
I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. I could tell that he was a very loved man from the stories I would hear from Vera. May good thoughts and happy memories bring you peace during this time. My sincere condolences, Ronny Munoz
Paul Mardula
Vera and Martin, so sorry for your loss, it is always difficult to say goodbye to a parent but I hope it brings you peace knowing that your dad is now reunited with your mom in Heaven. My condolences, Paul Mardula
Evans family
We know this must be a very difficult and demanding time for the family.
May you draw comfort from God as he help you to cope with the heavy weight of your loss. Truly sorry for your loss.
Joey Miskulin
Vera and Marty, I admired Duke not only as a family man, but as a proud Slovenian, wonderful musician, and good friend. There was no other like him, and I’ll miss him so very much. God bless Duke’s beautiful soul.
Jeff Guttu
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You always spoke very highly of him Vera and after reading this I can see why. My thought and prayers are with you and your family.
Bud, Dawn, and Jeff Marsic
Martin and Vera; It is with a very heavy heart that I reflect on the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. I will never forget the many times that your dad shared his unconditional love of family. The trips to Pymatuning Lake for BBQ and sailing, family swimming outings at East Branch Reservoir, enjoying his band and music, and even teaching me how to play the clarinet even though I had little talent, would never have happened without him. We are all eternally blessed for having shared those times and many others with Uncle Duke. God Bless you and find peace in his memories.
Carol Hugg
I am so sorry to hear about your sweet father. I know how much he was loved by talking to Vera. I also know that he is at peace with his Savior now. Your mom and dad can finally be together again. Much love, Carol Hugg
Michael Mucha
Vera,
My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father. He definitely lived a full life. I’m sure you and your family have many fond memories to recount of your Dad. May he rest in peace.
Eileen Strauss
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father, Vera. You always spoke very highly of him, and after reading the obituary, I can see why. What an accomplished musician and a devoted family man. And I know how much the two of you enjoyed traveling together to Slovenia to see family – those times will also provide happy memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family. Take care.
Hilde Lackner Kobetitsch
Thanks Mr. Marsic for the wonderful music you entertained us with. I have good memories about your music and you as a wonderful person. May you rest in peace and thanks for the memories. My sympathy to the family
Hilde Kobetitsch a fan of Duke Marsic
Greg Lentz
Vera and family. So sorry to hear about your loss. Our condolences and sympathy. We did not realize how involved he was in the music industry. You should be proud of his accomplishments and keep him in your hearts forever.
Sincerly, Greg and Nancy Lentz
Rob Johnson
My deepest condolences for your loss. I pray you find comfort in our memories and in your family and friends. Vera, I know you took such good care of him. He sounds like an amazing man. Wishing you peace and comfort.
Rob
Bill O'Ryan
Vera and family we are so sorry for your loss. Your father was an extraordinary man and you are blessed to have so many wonderful memories. God bless you and your family.
Bill and Wanda O’Ryan
John Jaros
To the Marsic Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father, Duke. Mr. Marsic was my clarinet teacher at Petromelli’s Music Store on E 185th St. from about 1962 until 1966, when I entered the music program at Saint Joseph High. His teachings influenced me with a lifelong love of music. Although my career would drag me out of the area of performing, I always will have fond memories of the years when I did perform. In fact, I still own the clarinet that my father purchased at Petromelli’s while I was under Duke’s tutelage. I also remember watching Polka Varieties when Duke’s band performed. Thank you Duke, for all you did for me, and rest in peace.
Nick Virostko
Dear Vera and the Marsic Family,
We are saddened to hear of the loss of your father. The world lost a centered and loving, family-focused man that will be missed by the many he touched. May you enjoy the memories of the full 95-year life he lived knowing his love lives on within you.
Our condolences,
The Virostko Family
Tina Adams
My deepest sympathy for you, Vera, and all your family. Your bonds are a testament to the power of family love, and I’m so happy to see the wonderful description of your father’s life. Peace be with you
Beckie Tough
Vera, I’m so sorry about your Dad. You always spoke so fondly of him. He really lived a full life of family, music. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.