Marshall B. Ottina

Marshall B. Ottina of Whitman, formerly of Milton and Quincy, passed away after a long illness on January 22, 2026. Beloved husband of Kathleen (MacVarish) Ottina. Cherished father of Kathleen and her husband Christopher Carrigan of Rockland, Julie and her husband William Catton of Whitman and Marshall Ottina and his wife Shauna of Whitman. Loving grandfather of Liana, Benjamin and Emma Catton and Thomas and Sean Ottina. He is also survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his mother, Helen (Duffy) Ottina and his brother, Robert Ottina.

Marshall was an iron worker in his early career, working at L. Antonelli Iron Works in Quincy. A member of the International Iron Workers Local 501, he eventually became the president and business manager for the local. He was a proud graduate of the Harvard Trade Union Program in 1978, where he honed his negotiating skills. Later employers were A.O. Wilson Structural Steel in Cambridge, Stop & Shop in Readville and The Campanelli Company in Braintree. In his retirement, Marshall enjoyed spending time outdoors, riding his bike, doing yard work and swimming. He also was a part-time chauffeur, shuttling his grandchildren to and from their various activities.

Throughout his life, Marshall enjoyed traveling with his family; summer trips to his favorite place - Bermuda, often accompanied by his in-laws, the late John and Helen MacVarish, and winter ski vacations to North Conway with his grandchildren. He was an endlessly generous man who derived his own happiness from making others happy, especially his grandchildren. He may have fooled some with his at-times gruff exterior, but those close to him knew that he had a heart of gold, and he could be depended on to do anything for anyone. Through gestures both small and grand, he showed his love in his own way. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services will be private. A celebration of his life will be planned for a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.