Jeffrey Marquard

United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Marquard tragically passed away on September 1, 2020 from service related Leukemia and sepsis. 

Marquard was born and raised in Vernon, New Jersey. Adventurous from an early age, he spent countless hours fishing on the lake, riding bikes, and snowboarding. From the age of nine, he immersed himself in wrestling, becoming a passionate competitor. After graduating high school, Marquard knew college wasn’t the right path for him, but he was determined to do something meaningful with his life. Drawn to the water, he found the Coast Guard inspiring. 

Marquard enlisted in February 2004. He was a damage controlman. As a problem solver and a fixer, he thrived in his position. He had an integral part in the operation of the USCGC Juniper. Marquard made a lasting impact on everyone he encountered throughout his career. A man of strength, integrity, and unwavering character, he was deeply loved and widely admired. He loved teaching and mentoring and was an exceptional role model and leader. While serving in the Coast Guard, Marquard’s achievements included receiving the Permanent Cutterman’s Insignia, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, six Commandant’s letters of Commendation and Humanitarian Service Medal. Marquard had set a goal to serve 20 years in the Coast Guard. At the time of his passing, he had proudly completed 17 years of dedicated service. One of his proudest achievements was reaching his goal of advancing to the rank of Chief.

Marquard met his wife, Tara, in 2009 in the most unexpected yet perfect way—on an elevator in their Honolulu apartment building. At the time, he was stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, and she was a travel nurse on assignment at Tripler Army Medical Center. As fate would have it, they had been living right next to each other, unaware, until that elevator ride changed everything.Their connection was instant, and they were lucky to call the island home together for the next seven years. They got engaged in 2011 and married in 2013 and built a life of love together. In 2016, just two months before leaving Hawaii for their next duty station in Newport, Rhode Island, they welcomed their first son into the world.

Currently, Tara lives in New Jersey, where she works as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as well as a Lactation Consultant. She is passionate about supporting families through their NICU journey. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, hanging out with friends and family, and participating in her son’s activities.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has brought a profound sense of relief and security for Tara and her children’s future. It lifts one of the many burdens she carries and she is incredibly grateful for the gift of more time with her children. Tara takes great pride in Jeffrey’s service and sacrifice, and is deeply grateful for the blessing she continues to receive in his honor, even after his passing.

United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Marquard is survived by his loving wife, Tara, and their beautiful sons, Louis and Hank. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the Marquard family with a mortgage-free home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.