MARSHALL John "Ron"

John “Ron” Marshall (Chief Petty Officer, Retired) Originally from St. John’s, NL, Ron attended St. Patrick’s School before moving to Halifax at age 17 to join the Royal Canadian Navy where he served for 35 years. During his career, he was deployed on various destroyers sailing throughout North America and Europe with duties that included communications technician and clearance diver. He was also an electronics/communications instructor at CFB Stadacona and platoon commander at CFB Cornwallis. Although he served in peacetime, fatalities at sea were not uncommon with the worst tragedy occurring off the coast of England in 1969 when an explosion on the HMCS Kootenay, the sister ship to his vessel, the HMCS Saguenay, resulted in 53 injuries and 9 deaths followed by burial at sea from HMCS Saguenay. His experiences created an understanding of the unique stresses faced by military members and their families leading to a final posting at the Military Family Resource Centre in Halifax. He also studied psychology at Saint Mary’s University during this time. After retirement, he brought his knowledge and experience to CFB Gander and CFB Cornwallis where he coordinated the establishment of the Military Family Resource Centres on those bases. He also taught Human Resource Management at the Nova Scotia Community College and instructed fleet captains and crews with Clearwater Seafoods. For the last several years, he assisted his wife in running Grange Cottage Bed and Breakfast in Annapolis Royal, NS. Ron was a leader, mentor and teacher. Patient, thoughtful and stoic, Ron touched many lives during his 79 years. Survived by his devoted wife Maude (nee Spurrell); children: Lori (Mark), Mark (Daphne) and Rob (Tram); grandchildren Joel, Nathaniel, Gabrielle, Alison and Illythia; siblings: Dorothy, George Jr., Dolores (Ron), Sheila, Diane (Bill), Susan (Joe) and Keith (Marydale) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents George and Anne (Murphy). Donations may be made to the Annapolis West Health Foundation, Annapolis Royal, NS. Visitation at Caul’s Funeral Home, Lemarchant Road, St. John’s on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm.

Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea