Thomas Frank Marshall

It's hard to find words big enough to hold a life like Tom's-he lived in the quiet details, the smallest gestures of devotion, and the hard work of building a successful business.
Thomas Frank Marshall, born July 14, 1950, passed away Friday, September 13th, with his wife and children by his side, after a resolute battle with cancer. He was the kind of man who didn't flinch in the face of hard work, who didn't believe in shortcuts, and who poured himself into each endeavor with a steady, unwavering hand. A man who built a legacy out of integrity.
Tom grew up in New Bedford, a city that echoed in his voice all his life. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School and studied at RETS Electronics School before he founded Marshall Building & Remodeling in 1981 with brother Dave. Their goal wasn't just to build a business, but to create something better-something honest and rooted in decency. Tom believed with his whole heart that good work is built on doing the right thing, and that belief became the bedrock of MBR. His impact on the community, his team, and the people he served was profound, leaving ripples that will be felt for generations.
In his younger years, Tom was a proud member of the Boys City Choir. He loved the time spent with his father helping on his milk route, and the memories made with his brothers and sister. He always knew what he wanted and went for it. He took a second job to buy his first car which was a 1961 dark blue Peugeot 404 with a red interior and a stick shift on the column. He had so much style.
As a father, he worked tirelessly to make sure his family had what they needed, and yet, he was never too tired to capture the moments that made life special -- dancing with Erin by the record player, singing Anne to sleep, or videotaping 5-year-old Andy doing wheelies on his bike, and, of course, taking the sweetest pictures of his love wherever they may have been.
Tom was a true traveler, experiencing over 75,000 miles on the ocean with his wife and best friend Kathy. He saw the world twice over, and still, his truest adventures were in the warmth of his home, with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
The final weeks of Tom's life were filled with a gratitude that swelled around him like the tide he was witnessing. He accepted the love and care of his family with grace, knowing that there was nothing left to fear. "These last two weeks," he said, "were filled with love and true feelings. What more is there?"
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen (Smith) Marshall, and his three children: Erin Marshall, Anne and her husband Mike Dominguez, and Andrew Marshall and his wife Alyssa all of Fairhaven, his grandchildren, Claire and Ben Marshall of Fairhaven, with whom he shared so many loving moments, belly laughs, and convertible trips, his siblings, David Marshall and his wife Paula of South Dartmouth, Robert (Bobby) Marshall and his longtime partner Jackie, John Marshall and his wife Christine, and Judy Bettencourt and her husband Doug, all of New Bedford; along with many nieces and nephews whose lives he impacted greatly.
Tom's life was not about grand gestures but about the simple moments of devotion, about showing up every day for the people he loved and the work he believed in. His was a life lived deeply, honestly, and with a spirit of conviction. Those who knew him can honor his memory by carrying on with his kindness, work ethic, and unwavering love for family.
His visitation will be held at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St, New Bedford, MA on Sunday, September 22nd from 11am to 1pm, with a service from 1 to 1:30 pm. A celebration of Tom's life will follow at Carmines at Candleworks in New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Community Nurse Home Care in Fairhaven whose team, especially Erica, was invaluable in helping us through this difficult time. (If you do choose to send flowers, please no lilies or hydrangeas due to allergies.) For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.