Robert William Marrion

1931 - 2023

Niantic - Robert William Marrion, 92, of Niantic died peacefully in his sleep Dec. 9, 2023, under the loving care of his wife Grace.

Bob was born Feb. 24, 1931, to Joseph Edward Marrion and Gertrude Louise Cady Marrion of Winthrop, Mass. His brother Father Malachy Marrion, a Trappist monk, predeceased him. Bob attended Boston College High School, commuting on the "T" over an hour each way between Winthrop and Boston's South End. During those years, Bob played second base for the Winthrop Elks, forming a lethal double play combination with shortstop Wilbur Lappen.

Bob attended the College of the Holy Cross on a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship, graduating in 1952. While at Holy Cross, he was renowned for spending all of his time either in the library or playing basketball at the fieldhouse. His dedication to his studies led him to forgo an opportunity to play a pickup basketball game with the legendary Bob Cousy.

Following graduation, Bob served in the Navy as Gunnery Officer on Destroyer USS Watts (DD567), leaving the Navy as a Lieutenant JG. His Navy experiences led to a lifelong love of traveling with his future wife, Grace. He would say he was humbled by and grateful for those with whom he served and the opportunities he was given during his service.

While stationed in Virginia, Bob met Grace Eleanor Stone, a student at the College of William and Mary. He persuaded Grace to marry him, which he considered the greatest accomplishment of his life. They were married Aug. 27, 1955. Their love and dedication to one another for nearly 70 years was an inspiration to their children.

Bob entered Harvard Law School with a wife and graduated, in 1958, with a wife and a daughter, Ruth. The family moved to New London where Bob began his 40-plus year career practicing law before moving to Niantic, where they lived thereafter. Bob spent many years at McGarry, Prince, McGarry & Marrion before joining Waller, Smith and Palmer, where he worked until his retirement in 2001. His career included his long service as Town Attorney for East Lyme.

Bob generously gave of his time to the bar and the community. In 1966, still early in his career, he worked with a group of lawyers to establish Legacy, New London's first legal aid organization. He served as its President before it was incorporated into Connecticut Statewide Legal Services. Bob served for many years on the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee, and enjoyed being able to notify new firm associates, two of his children and a daughter-in-law that they had passed the Connecticut bar exam.

Bob served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mitchell College. He was a founding member and the first Board President of the Pequot Community Foundation (now the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut). Bob was also a corporator of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. After his retirement, he served as a tutor at the Benny Dover Jackson Middle School in New London and as a Literary Volunteer at the Gates Correctional Institution. He also enjoyed a brief acting career, playing the role of a recalcitrant farmer in a recurring East Lyme Historical Society Reenactment, and for several years he was the restaurant critic for the New London Day.

Bob was a dedicated husband and father. He always made it a priority to attend the concerts and sporting events in which his children and grandchildren participated.

He enthusiastically supported Grace earning her master's degree and a PhD. Bob and Grace were avid runners and tennis players. Bob was a regular participant in the short-lived Niantic Marathon.

Bob is survived by his wife Grace; children, Ruth, Catherine, Tom and his wife Gwen, and Faith and her husband Bob. Their youngest child, Christopher, predeceased Bob. Bob is also survived by seven grandchildren, Henry and Raymond Marrion, Sarah, Andrew and Noah Lerch, Robert Halenda and Olivia Burton.

Bob's family would like to thank those who helped make his last days peaceful and warm: the great staff at Crescent Point and the team at Middlesex Hospice.

Calling hours will be from 1 to 3 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home in Niantic. Bob's green burial at Fountain Hill Cemetery in Deep River will be private.