Burchard W. Marshall

Norwich - Burchard W. Marshall, husband of the late Anna Johnson Marshall, departed this life on June 2, 2010, at Regency Heights of Norwich.

Born in Norwich, on Oct. 6, 1914, to the late Harry Hunter Marshall and Ida (Hubbard) Marshall, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Mr. Marshall was well known throughout the area because of his longtime involvement in sports as an active player, manager, and umpire.

He began his career at the age of 15 when he played for the Werman Shoe City League until they disbanded. He also played on the Greenville AC squad in the City League. Most of his playing time was spent as a catcher. Aside from his City League playing days, he spent many years traveling the state of Connecticut playing independent baseball. While playing for the Norwich Yellow Jackets one day, major league scouts who were there to watch Gene DeSautels, who later played for the Boston Red Sox, were overheard to say, "the colored fellow was better." Unfortunately, because of practices in existence at the time, "Burch" was never given an opportunity to play for the major leagues. Other independent teams he played for were the Decatur AC and the New London Colored Elks. A career of more than 25 years as a player ended in 1956 with his retirement. In addition to his baseball talents, Burch was a fine halfback when he played football with the invincible Norwich Cubs during the 1930s.

In the 1950s and 60s, the Thermos girls fast-pitch softball team prospered under his management as he led them to the playoffs in seven of eight seasons.

Mr. Marshall began his umpiring career in 1957, and he continued in this capacity until he retired in 1983. Along the way, he umpired in the Junior Major League, the Police Athletic League, and the Norwich City League. Often he and his son, the late Ed Marshall, would umpire the same games.

Mr. Marshall served on the City League board of directors for over 15 years and was past treasurer and vice president. His involvement in sports through coaching and umpiring three generations of ballplayers earned him a place in the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame and in having skybox seats at Dodd Stadium named in his honor. He received numerous awards and citations throughout his lifetime. Most pleasing to him were the following two events: Burchard Marshall Day, a celebration of his life held in July 2006 and throwing out the first pitch of the ballgame at Fenway Park in 2008.

Educated in the Norwich public school system, Mr. Marshall was employed by Werman Shoe Factory from 1929 to1942 and by Thermos Bottling Co., from 1942 to1979. Upon retirement, he worked as a school crossing guard in the Bishop Street School and Broad Street School areas. He often remarked that a number of the children under his care were the grandchildren of former ballplayers he once coached or umpired.

Known as "Duke" by his many friends on and off the ball field, Mr. Marshall acquired the nickname during his youth because of his dapper style of dressing. His trimmed mustache and beard were trademarks of his appearance.

Singing was a joyful pastime for him. In the early 1950s, he was a member of "The Four Notes" along with well-known piano player Tommie Simmons and the late Danny Jenkins and Arthur Lacey, both of whom were former noted baseball players. The group sang locally and was broadcast from a radio station in Westerly on a weekly basis. He also sang in the senior choir at Calvary Baptist Church in Willimantic and in the senior choir at Evans Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Norwich, where he regularly attended until his health began to fail.

A resident of Regency Heights of Norwich, formerly Haven Health Care, for the past seven years, Mr. Marshall always enjoyed conversing with visitors about his family and sharing recollections of his sports career.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Edward W. Marshall; four brothers, J. Andrew Marshall, Harry L. Marshall, Vincent F. Marshall, and Robert E. Marshall; four sisters, Helen Marshall, Viola M. Vincent, Maude M. Lester, and Genevieve M. Dunston; and three grandchildren, Geoffrey Goldson, Felecia Pina, and Dawn G. McKenzie.

He is survived by four daughters, Elizabeth Ann M. Williams of Stallings, N.C., Charlene M. Goldson of Newport News, Va., Carol L. Marshall of Norwich, and Deborah M. Thompson of Groton. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2010, at Evans Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, McKinley Ave., Norwich. Burial in Yantic Cemetery will take place at time convenient for the family.

The Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may shared with the family at www.cummings-gagnefh.com