On Tuesday, our dear friend, brother, roommate, guest blogger, and all-around BC Guy Andy Marsh lost his fight against cancer at the age of 27. Without a doubt, we can both say that he touched our lives in unimaginable ways and we are both better people for having had him in our lives.

Jeff and I are going to step away from the blog for a little while to celebrate the life of our dear friend and be with our BC family.

Andrew Craig Marsh, 27 PORTLAND -- Andrew Craig Marsh passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, at the age of 27, after a 2.5 year battle with melanoma. Andy was born in Framingham, Mass. on June 10, 1982, and is the beloved son of Craig and Virginia Marsh of Portland.

Andy attended Cheverus High School, where he excelled in academics, and was very active in sports and community service, earning his Eagle Scout Award. He graduated in 2000, and attended Boston College, where he double majored in Finance and Operations Management. Andy graduated from Boston College in 2004 and went to work for Sun Life Financial in Wellesley, Mass., with an incredible team of people. In 2006, he left Sun Life to pursue a law degree at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.

It was the last week of his first year when he was diagnosed with melanoma. The following two years and three months he fought hard against his cancer, facing each treatment and trial with the utmost bravery and grace. During his illness, Andy volunteered at the Maine Volunteer Lawyer Project. Andy found great joy in spending time with his family and friends, and loved sports, both playing and watching them. His favorite teams were BC, Celtics, Red Sox, and the Patriots. Andy was such a beacon of love, strength, patience, and peace to all who knew him. He was bright, funny, and had a huge heart. His family is so proud of who he was, during both his best and worst times.

Andrew is survived by his parents; brother Matthew and sister-in-law Elisabeth, and sister Jennifer; his grandparents Stephen and Marion Marsh of Gorham, and Norman and Dorothy Heying of Bella Vista, Ark.; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. All have an infinite love for Andy and will miss him dearly. His family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the National Institutes of Health, Dana Farber, InterMed, Mercy Hospital, and Maine Medical Center for all their excellent care throughout Andy's battle.

Friends and family are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Aug. 10, at St. Patrick's Church, 1342 Congress St., Portland. Internment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to: The Andrew C. Marsh Memorial Scholarship Fund PMB 117 11 Main St. Suite 7 Westbrook, Maine 04092-5199 Andrew Craig Marsh Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763