Donald Marshall

Donald Patrick Marshall, 68, of Frederick, died peacefully at home June 30, 2015.

Born April 8, 1947 in Washington, D. C., he was the second of ten children of Dr. Robert Thomas and Ann Hall Marshall. He grew up in Emmitsburg, and from a young age he worked with his father on many unusual and interesting construction projects around the family home.

He graduated from St. Joseph High School and from Mount St. Mary’s University, with a degree in English, and later completed a teaching certificate at University of Maryland. He served in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action, and achieved the rank of Sergeant E-5 before being honorably discharged in 1973.

He spent many summers in Ocean City, MD, where he worked as a bike mechanic and was co-owner of Shakespeare’s Bike Shop. He worked as a carpentry instructor at both Frederick County Career and Technology Center and Hagerstown Junior College, where he spearheaded an on-the-ground curriculum which resulted in his students framing 21 houses in four years. He also worked as a project manager for Fountainhead Builders.

He married Rebecca (Becky) Ambrose in 1981, and together they started Marshall Construction in 1983. The company framed more than 200 single-family homes and over 190 multi-family units.

In 1999, he began working as the construction superintendent for Cafritz Builders in Bethesda, and he remained at that job until his illness forced him to retire in the fall of 2014. He enjoyed his time in the field and had a unique ability to get along with clients, tradesmen and staff, and relished the complex challenges of every project. He often said it was so much fun to go to work that he would do it for free if he could.

His great love, though, was his family. Together, he and Becky built a home in Frederick, where they raised their two children, Burt and Diana. After his father’s death in 1996, Don assumed the role of paterfamilias – the father of the family – to his many siblings, nieces and nephews, who relied on his guidance and support, and admired his uncanny ability to solve any construction or mechanical problem, as well as his fine singing voice, particularly at Christmas celebrations. He was quick to offer a cup of coffee, sage advice and help to his large circle of family and friends, and he always delivered assistance promptly, competently and with great good will.

Don is survived by his wife, Rebecca Ambrose Marshall; his children, Burt Hartley Marshall, Diana Rebecca Marshall and her fiancé, Josh Wright, all of Frederick; his mother, Ann Marshall, of Emmitsburg; his siblings, Margaret, Ann, Thea (Ethan Allen), Kate (Kirk Ruthenberg), Patricia (George Filgate), Elaine and Bob (Cheryl); his brother-in-law, Mike Hanning (Donna); seventeen nieces and nephews; a great-niece and three great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and his sisters Mary and Sara.

Don was one-of-a-kind, a loving and devoted son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, a master craftsman, expert builder, teacher and problem solver. He was always positive in the face of challenges, full of insightful anecdotes and great humor, and he possessed a rare depth of character and understanding of human nature. All who were fortunate enough to know him will miss him greatly.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on July 12 at Mt. St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg at the McGowan Center. http://msmary.edu/admissions/visit-campus/campus-maps.html