Richard A. Marshall

Richard A. Marshall, 82, of Columbia, CT passed away on January 11, 2022. He was born in Providence, RI to the late Abel and Florence (Hargreaves) Marshall.

Rich loved the beach, loved dancing, loved socializing, but most of all he loved his wife Andrea with all his heart. Rich grew up in the Gaspee Point beach community of Warwick, RI, where he met Andrea as a child. It was love at first sight and they both would often reminisce about their idyllic childhood.

Rich spent most of his life in the fire protection industry as a salesman, draftsman, engineer, and eventually president of his own company, R.A. Marshall, Inc., designing and installing automatic sprinkler systems. He was well-known in the local industry. Owning his own company gave him the flexibility to do the things he really wanted to - traveling in his RV to the beach on summer weekends, to Disney World for Christmas vacations, and to visit his many friends and large extended family. Many of his nieces and nephews would consider Uncle Richie to be their favorite uncle.

Rich was always joking, telling stories, and laughing. He was the consummate gentleman. He waved at everyone he saw along the road. He was voted "most friendly" in high school and it suited him his entire life. Everyone knew him by name at the establishments he frequented - the bank, the grocery store, the package store, the pharmacy, and of course the dump.

In his later years Rich enjoyed playing cards, doing handyman work, and creating picture frames out of old reclaimed barn wood.

Richard is survived by his daughters, Ann-Marie Larson (husband Russ) of Cobalt, CT and Rebecca Bentley of Mansfield Center, CT. Also daughter-in-law Lisa Marshall (deceased husband Peter) of Andover, CT. He leaves behind six grandchildren; Sam Marshall (wife Olivia), Sarah Marshall, Alexander Larson, David Larson, Tyler Bentley, and Sean Bentley. He also leaves 26 nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Richard was predeceased by his wife, Andrea (Mahoney) Marshall and his son, Peter Marshall.

The funeral service will be on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St, Willimantic, CT. All are welcome. His family will receive relatives and friends from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the UCONN Aphasia Fund. This fund has recently been set up to support group programming and activities for people with aphasia. Rich had aphasia since his stroke in 2016 and was a participant in the group and would be proud to know that your donations in his name will be the first to help support this fund.

Donate online using this link: s.UConn.edu/aphasiaprogram
Or check payable to:   UCONN Foundation Inc. (please write "23754 Aphasia Program Fund" in the memo field), mailed to:
Attn: Data Services
UCONN Foundation
2390 Alumni Dr, U-3206
Storrs, CT 06269-3206
You can also make a donation by calling 860-486-5000.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.