John P. “Jack” Marshall, age 89, of Rattlesnake Road, Brockport, died on Feb. 10, 2016 at Penn Highlands DuBois.
Born on May 31, 1926, he was the son of the late John and Agnes Sullivan Marshall Siple. On Feb. 12, 1949, he married Marian A. Koval and she preceded him in death on March 4, 2015.
In 1944, at age 18, with the patriotism and courage he exuded his whole life, Marshall quit his senior year at Brockway-Snyder High School to enlist in the Marines. He fought in the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where he was hit in the foot by shrapnel. After being discharged and volunteering for the Reserves, he returned to Brockway to continue operating his family farm, marry and start his family.
He worked at Brockway Glass for a short time and then trained to become a skilled union carpenter. Upon “retiring’ from carpentry in the 1980’s, he began his own successful one-man excavating and landscaping business, “Superior Topsoils,” which he passionately continued to operate to the present.
In 2010, at the age of 84, 66 years after quitting high school to join the Marines, Jack received his high school diploma from Brockway Area High School. He was presented his diploma by fellow 2010 graduate Joshua Marshall, his grandson.
Not having a high school diploma didn’t stop Jack from taking an occassional college class over the years at the Penn State DuBois campus and he did so until he was 86.
Known for his remarkable work ethic and eagerness to make an impact on people’s lives, Jack was instrumental in the establishment of the Brockway Area Ambulance Association, an all-volunteer organization. He served as a founding board member and EMT for many years.
He was a member of St. Tobias Catholic Church in Brockway and enjoyed attending services at the Beechwoods Presbyterian Church. He also was a member of Parson Marnati Post 95 of the American Legion.
He is survived by a daughter Susan (Joe) Starkey of Pittsburgh, three sons, John of Crenshaw, Richard of Brockport, and James (Donna) of Brockway. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: John, Brian, Sam, Jackson, Cristina, Joshua, Justin, Michael and Mary Ann, and four great grandchildren: Xavier, Emma, Julia, Maura and two on the way.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he is preceded in death by a daughter Mary Ann Martini.
Calling hours will be on Wed., Feb. 17 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm at the Carlson- Shugarts Inc. Funeral Home in Brockway. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thurs., Feb. 18 at 9:30 am at St. Tobias Catholic Church in Brockway, with Msgr. Charles Kaza presiding. Burial will follow in St. Tobias Cemetery. A vigil service will be held Wednesday evening at 8:45 pm in the funeral home. Full Military Honors will be accorded by Parson Marnati Post 95 of the American Legion Thursday morning at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Legion, 1109 Pershing Ave., Brockway 15824; St. Tobias Catholic Church, 1135 Hewitt St., Brockway 15824; or the Brockway Area Ambulance Association, PO Box 222 Brockway 15824
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