Royal Marshall Jr.

Old Mystic — Royal James “Jim” Marshall Jr., 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Old Mystic on Feb. 10, 2023, with all his children present. He was born July 1, 1936, in Rochester, N.Y., the son of Royal James Marshall Sr. and Frances Wells Marshall. He lived in Old Mystic for the past 63 years.

Jim grew up on a farm in Chili, N.Y. He operated farm equipment from an early age, cared for many animals and became a lifelong gardener. Jim was a master plasterer, a proficient craftsman and a true artisan. He gave new life to historic buildings and plastered hundreds of homes and buildings throughout the region. His work was featured in This Old House, the New London Day and Fine Homebuilding magazine. He was very proud of his work on the Mystic Seaport lighthouse and on many other historic structures.

Jim had a photographic memory, a great sense of humor, an unparalleled work ethic and was a great storyteller. He enjoyed fishing, berry picking, old tractors and wooden boats. He was especially proud of his great-grandfather John Talcott Wells, inventor of an ingenious barn truss and builder of the historic Wells Barns in the Rochester area.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his beloved wife, Ellen Coogan. Jim is survived by his sister Constance (Milton) Lounsbury; six children: Robert (Georgia Ehlers), Daniel (Diana), Patrick, Kathleen, John and Elizabeth; seven grandchildren: Laura, Hannah, Sean (Leanne), Kyle, Colleen, Olivia and Owen; great-grandchild Aubrey; and many beloved cousins, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He was a kind, wonderful father and will be dearly missed. “It’s too quiet without you, Dad.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Denison Homestead, 137 Pequotsepos Road in Mystic. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the documentary film project on the Wells Barns (https:// www.wellsbarnhistory.com/ documentary/), the Denison Homestead (for the Oliver Denison House), or the Giving Garden on Coogan Farm.