Emotional tributes at memorial service
Doctor remembered as a loving husband, father and caring medical professional
Hundreds gathered yesterday to celebrate the life of Dr John Marshall, the Indian physician who was killed in a car fire in Dubai on November 26.
Family, friends, colleagues and patients of Dr Marshall, 60, who had served Dubai for over two decades, paid rich tributes to him at a memorial service held at the Holy Trinity Church in Oud Metha, before he was laid to rest in a cemetery in Jebel Ali.
Hailing from Kerala, Dr Marshall was a specialist internist with the Primacare Clinic of Avivo Group, formerly known as Al Musalla Medical Centre, which he founded along with two partners.
Around 500 people of various nationalities, mostly dressed in black, offered condolences to Dr Marshall’s wife Dr Sisy Marshall and their two daughters Rebecca and Rachel, who are both studying medicine in Bahrain. They remembered him as a loving husband, an amazing father, a good son, a compassionate doctor and a dear friend.
“Born as a premature baby [in a place] with limited medical facilities, he was the most precious baby in the family and grew up as the pet child,” said Dr Satheesh, Dr Marshall’s brother-in-law.
Pastor Ashish Thomas from The Dubai City Church, to which the Marshall family belongs, said Dr Sisy lost her husband on the day that marked the 25th death anniversary of her father.
He also explained what happened on the tragic day.
He said Dr Sisy had noticed a change in the colour of Dr Marshall’s face after breakfast and wanted him to get a blood test done. “What we have come to understand from various things that we have gathered, seen and understood, is that he either probably had a blackout or a heart attack before the accident and that is why he lost control [of the car],” the pastor said .
Fond memories
Dr Sunny Kurian, chairman of Dr Sunny’s Group in Sharjah, shared memories of his medical college days with Dr Marshall. “He spent time not just examining his patients, but also explaining things to them,” he said.
He added that Dr Marshall “was a careful driver. It sounded strange why the car would go out of control and topple over. It had something to do with him losing control. It could be that [a blackout]”.
Dr Sasikumar Kallivalappil, specialist neurologist at PrimaCare and a colleague and partner of Dr Marshall for 25 years, said: “His patients have been crying in front of his room.”
Book of tributes
Dr Sisy broke into tears as she thanked the authorities, motorists who tried to help Dr Marshall, the family’s church, friends, colleagues and relatives who offered support.
She said the tributes posted on the tribute webpage of Dr. Marshall would be printed as a book.
A video showing the happy moments of his life was screened while a card featuring photos and details of the funeral was handed out to all.