Marshall Rosenthal

Marshall Rosenthal, 85, of Savoy, MA passed away at Berkshire Medical Center on March 7, 2026 after several years of declining health. He met every medical challenge with grace and good humor.

Marshall was born in 1940 in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph Rosenthal and Rose (Schulman) Rosenthal. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from City College of New York. He was proud of the work he did for the Medical Committee for Human Rights (a support group for civil rights workers in Mississippi) during "Freedom Summer" in 1964, working alongside doctors at a medical field station. That summer was a dangerous time for civil rights workers in Mississippi, but Marshall believed in the cause. He later returned to school and earned a Master's degree in Cultural Anthropology from Syracuse University.

An avid reader and lifelong learner, he applied what he learned, both formally and informally, to occupations in the fields of health care, teaching, community organizing and retail. He always wanted to help people. He used community organizing skills he learned as a VISTA volunteer to help start up organizations including the Becket Volunteer Ambulance Squad and the Northern Berkshire chapter of Habitat for Humanity. After becoming an EMT on the ambulance squad in Becket, Marsh served with the Adams and North Adams Ambulance Services and the Savoy Volunteer Fire Dept. This also led to work he did as an orderly at the North Adams Regional Hospital. A quick study, he taught Sociology at North Adams State College when their regular professor became unavailable to teach. Later, he was a substitute teacher in the North Adams public schools.

A creative soul, Marshall enjoyed drawing and painting, crafting, and writing. He was a good singer, and had an ear for music. In his earlier days, he enjoyed road trips, hiking, fishing, canoeing, attending pow-wows, and visiting museums and natural wonders. Trained by MUFON, he investigated UFO's, having seen one in 1959. He studied alternative healing methods like Reiki. Marshall loved animals, especially the many cats he lived with over the years. In his later years, he liked watching westerns and old movies on TV, and playing Backgammon.

Marshall is survived by Susan Rosenthal (his loving wife of 54 years) whom he married in 1971 in Ithaca NY. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ronald Frappier, and many friends, including his neighbors Steven Andrews and family. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Robert.

Private graveside services were held at Bellevue Cemetery in Adams on March 11, with Rabbi Rachel Barenblat officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Northern Berkshire EMS or the Savoy Volunteer Fire Department in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St North Adams, MA 01247. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.