December 20, 1925-October 15, 2024
Henri de Marne rejoined “The Great Spirit” on October 15, 2024, in Shelburne, Vermont.
His genuine warmth, curiosity, caring, intelligence and old-school French charm coupled with an extrovert’s personality were natural assets for a successful life well lived.
He was well known for his syndicated newspaper column “About the House with Henri de Marne” which ran in the Burlington Free Press and hundreds of newspapers across the U.S. for 42 years. As one of the pioneers in the building science profession, he was highly regarded for his expertise in all things related to the construction industry.
He was a builder, expert litigation witness, researcher, teacher, mentor, lecturer as well as book author. Also, an avid whitewater canoeist, ski instructor, outdoor enthusiast, father, husband and friend.
Born in Paris, France, in 1925, to Paul Fievet de Marne and Jeanne Bonifay, he received the French Baccalaureate in law study from “La Sorbonne” University of Paris, and later his M.A. from University of Maryland.
His teen years spanned WWII. He volunteered with the French Red Cross and then served in the army alongside Patton’s 2nd Armored Division during the Siegfried Line Campaign. At WWII’s end he decided to immigrate to the U.S. as France was in turmoil and it was feared that the Communist Party would take control. While applying for his VISA he met his first wife, Muriel Mann, at the American Embassy, Paris.
They were married for 43 years and welcomed three children; Kitty, Philip and Loretta while located in the Washington, DC/Bethesda, Maryland, area. He taught French at the Pentagon, the University of MD, and St. Alban’s School for Boys.
In 1957 he left teaching to launch his long and successful career in home construction, restoration, renovation and remodeling in Potomac, MD. His company bore his name long after he sold it and relocated to Vermont to follow his new passion -- skiing!
He began his ski instructing career at Bromley Mountain and then fell in love with Mad River Glen in Waitsfield, Vermont, where he taught skiing for 20 years. His dream house was built on a hill in Waitsfield with a panoramic view of the Mad River Glen and Sugarbush ski areas.
Destiny called him to inspect a roof in Essex, Vermont, where he met “the love of his life,” future wife and devoted partner for 30 years, Susan (Huyler) Donnis. He loved life and felt that every day was a blessing.
His family is indebted to Wake Robin Health Care Team for the skill, warmth and caring. Donations in his memory can be made to Habitat for Humanity.
