James Fredrick Marten

MARTEN, James Frederick Of Cohasset, MA, U.S.A, died on June 1, 2025, peacefully cared for by loved ones. He was an entrepreneur, artist and philanthropist. James was born in Liverpool, UK, in 1931 and immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1965, and quickly recognized that the business and social climate were ideally suited for his ambitious nature.

After three years in the U.S., he embarked on a career lasting 35 years as a venture capitalist for his own account in which he founded, financed, and guided eight successful companies. He was chairman of public companies on all three national stock exchanges. James Marten held a Ph.D. in Biomolecular Structure from the University of Leeds, England and was the first person in the UK to graduate from the University with a PhD without having a prior university degree. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London in 1961.

After retirement, James taught himself painting and figure drawing, and maintained a studio in in Rockland, MA, as a member of the Fourth Floor Artists Association. His work won many awards. A noted philanthropist with his wife, Shirley, James supported local Cohasset efforts: the South Shore Art Center, Cohasset Historical Society and Cohasset Public Library. They were very proud of their efforts to preserve James Island for conservation purposes.

Dr. Marten was on the board of trustees of Boston University Hospital, the Boston Chamber of Music Society and its Foundation and the Cohasset Conservation Commission. For the last ten years, the Marten Family has supported the New England Center for Arts and Technology (NECAT), a non-profit group, providing training in the culinary arts for low-income Boston residents.

James F. Marten is survived by his two children: Lewis H. Marten and Kay S. Marten, and their spouses, Lucinda Linde and Ronald Nunn; grandchildren: Ian A. Marten, Ryan L. Marten, Dylan M. Nunn, Alana M. Nunn; and a number of nieces and nephews who reside in Great Britain.