John Anthony Marshall

Portsmouth, RI - John Anthony Marshall, Sr. age 72 of East Main Road, peacefully passed away at Lahey Hospital surrounded by his children, on September 27, 2015. Born in Fall River, MA on April 16, 1943. He was the son of the late Arthur and Rosalina Marshall. John graduated from Rogers High School, Class of 1962. He is survived by his children Patricia Ward Marshall and her husband Timothy Schaller of Ashville, NC, Kirsten Rosalina Marshall and her fianc David Comfort of Portsmouth, John Anthony Marshall Jr. and his wife Toni of Portsmouth, Jay Franco and his wife Vikki of Portsmouth, Jimi Franco of Newport and Jerry Franco and his fianc Heather Turcotte of Little Compton. "Pop-a-do" adored his grandchildren Hope Franco, Cameron Hebert, Jeremy Franco, Amanda Franco, John Anthony Marshall III, Henry Marshall and William Marshall. John also leaves his siblings Agnes Pendergast, Arthur Marshall, and Theresa McSheehy. Growing up in Middletown, John worked on his father's dairy farm. He was a member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America. While working on the farm he discovered his love for construction and went on to found J.A.M. Construction Company in 1966 with an Oliver 550 tractor. He built and grew his business on his name and good word. His work ethic and attention to detail were second to none. He particularly enjoyed working on local restoration projects to preserve the historical character of the island he loved. John was proud of his Portuguese heritage and was active in the Portuguese American community, as well as, many other local civic and charitable organizations. He loved all things Portuguese, vintage farm and tractor equipment, snowmobiling and NASCAR. In 1975 and 1976 he snowmobiled cross-country in the grueling International 500 race, from Winnipeg, Canada to St. Paul, MN. It was snowmobiling that led John to Derby, Vermont, which became his home away from home. There he formed a loyal and unconditional friendship with his "Bros." One of their many excursions was a snowmobiling trip from Derby, VT to West Yellowstone, MT in 1999. John embodied an enormous appetite for life. He was social and curious about people, devout about his faith, and passionate about his connections with family and friends. He touched the lives of many and left his mark wherever he went. What John enjoyed most was being with family and friends, having a "smile," sharing a meal, laughing and sharing old stories.Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 2, from 4-8 pm at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday October 3, at 9 am at Jesus Savior Church, 1 Vernon Avenue, Newport. Burial will be at the St. Columba's Catholic Cemetery, 465 Browns Lane, Middletown.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Three Angels Fund, P.O. Box 4001, Middletown, RI 02842 (www.threeangelsfund.com), or Hillside Charitable Organization, Inc., 8 Memorial Boulevard West, Newport, RI 02840. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation OCT 2. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service OCT 3. 09:00 AM Jesus Savior Church Broadway at Vernon Ave Newport, RI, US, 02840