I grew up with Tom. He was a gentle soul and treated everyone with complete and total respect. He let me tag along while he delivered newspapers and gave me .05cents per paper I delivered. We lived across the street from the Marshalls on Holland St. In Erie, Pa. May his memory be Eternal.

I remember Tom from the old days in Erie, PA. We were neighbors. Our family lived directly across the street on Holland St. I was a few years younger than Tom, but we had a lot in common. We delivered newspapers together and he would pay me .02cents per newspaper we delivered. That was good money back then for a 10 yr old. We played basketball in his back yard with Joey and Tom quite frequently. In a sense, I felt like he was an older brother to me. He was an idol to me and a gentle soul. Just as the entire Marshall family. They were all wonderful people.  I miss those days when life was simple and the Holland St neighborhood was a great place to grow up. Tom was always there to help and guide us as we were growing up. 
May his Memory be Eternal!

Two of our siblings are deaf.  They both would take the a Greyhound bus from Erie on Sunday evening to get to their school in Pittsburg and return  to Erie late Friday afternoon.  

When Tom was about nine years old and I was fourteen,  I recall a particular Sunday when Connie, our youngest sister, was particularly weepy about having to go back to school in Pittsburg.  It was my job to wash, iron and pack Connie and Joes’s clothes each a Sunday afternoon, and I was in the basement ironing their clothes when Tom came down. He had a Bit-o-Honey candy bar in his hand (Connie’s favorite) and said, “Put this inside Connie’s pajamas when you pack them.”  I told him, “She’s upstairs crying , why don’t you  give it to her now?”  He said, “No, I think right around bedtime she’s going to need it.”

In my mind’s eye I can picture Tom seeing his little sister so upset,  taking his allowance to the gas station on the corner (it was Sunday and everything else was closed), buying her favorite treat and probably thinking, “Maybe this will cheer her up enough so that she won’t cry herself to sleep.”

His thoughtful gift was anonymous, as were so many of Tom’s gifts.  I’ve never forgotten that day, I think, because it was so emblematic of Tom’s character.

My sister Mary and brother Des have captured the essence of Tom’s positive personality. I did often, like Mary, wonder where Tom was taking a conversation. He was kind of off the wall at times, but the more you knew him the more you were drawn to his quirky conversation style. Tom was that rare breed of human, the embodiment of selflessness. He cared for others - many, many others - more than he did himself. He hated to see others suffer  or feel isolated or left out. This is exactly what motivated Tom to share a Tandem Bike with Sean Flynn when the whole family circumnavigated the largest of the Arab Islands in 2003. Regrettably that may have been the last time I spent time with Tom, which makes his premature passing all the more difficult to handle. Needless to say my thoughts are with Chris, Laura, Joe and all of Tom’s brothers and sisters. Sleep now brother Tom Xx. Liam

I remember when Tom told me he was sick.  I truly admired his bravery and inner strength, it was like he was made of steel.  Where do such men come from?  He continued on with his job like nothing was wrong.  Why are such people so rare nowadays?  We need more like him, many more.

We had several family holidays with Tom and Chris, including in 1996, when we spent a fantastic fortnight in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland with our (then) young children (Kate and Sam, and Laura and Joe). In fact, I think the photo of Tom on the boat with his USNWF cap with ST. MAWGAN emblazoned on it, was from that Dingle holiday when we went looking for the famous local celebrity, Funghi the Dolphin. Great Times and Fond Memories.

I also wanted to thank my older Sister Mary for sharing that wonderful picture of Tom and her Son Sean on the Tandem Bike on the Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway, Ireland, taken on a family reunion holiday in 2004. If ever a picture told a thousand words, well it’s that one as it conveys Tom’s boundless ‘can-do’ approach to life, his love for the wider family, and his desire to go the extra mile, literally in this case. And no offence to Sean Flynn, doing some serious ‘heavy lifting’ in the process. But as Mary said in her tribute, the two warriors were rightly rewarded with Pints of Guinness when they got back to the Local Pub. 

The Aran Islands are affectionately known as the Islands of Saints and Scholars, and I think I know which one Tom belonged to! In my recent (overlong) video tribute to Tom I also said this part of the holiday had a Father Ted vibe to it, and I have just found out that the Aran Islands actually hosts the annual Father Ted Festival. #Drink.

Our Families in England, and those currently on holiday in Ireland (Sean, Mick & Gill) and France (Liam & Kari) will hopefully raise a glass or two of the Black Stuff (as Guinness is known) on Friday to pay our respects to a fantastic guy who made a huge impact on our Family.

Rest in Peace Tom.

Love, 

Des and Cath Xx


Tom was introduced to me by my husband Jim Flynn, another US sailor, when they were stationed together at Navy HQ in London and he has been a major presence in my family’s life ever since.  He was a tremendous  character who had a “can do” attitude to every challenge he faced.  I was particularly taken by his sense of caring which I witnessed personally when he was around my son, Sean Flynn, who is blind.  On a Conway family reunion in Ireland when we decided to cycle around one of the Aran Islands Tom hired a tandem bicycle so Sean would not be excluded from the fun.  Yes, they fell down occasionally but Tom kept on getting back into the saddle and as they pulled into the pub we had two luscious pints of Guinness waiting for the two brave warriors!  In closing, Tom was “sometimes” like a sledgehammer in that his random thoughts would pop out in a conversation that had absolutely no relevance to the topic at hand.  But, in spite of that quirkinesses we loved him dearly and were truly glad he was a part of our family.  Rest In Peace Tom.

Tom was a very kind, funny, up beat guy! He was a Great neighbor, always friendly and cheerful. I miss seeing his Big wave and smile as I pass his house. I miss talking and joking with him when he was walking his “crazy” dog.  (“Crazy dog are his words, LOL) May the perpetual light of heaven shine upon you my friend. 🙏🙏🙏 Hugs and Kisses to Chris and family 😘

Tom was such a delight to work with. Even 1,800 miles away in Las Vegas, he managed to make things happen for us and was a wealth of knowledge. I never hesitated to call Tom when I needed anything that would make my job easier in Las Vegas. 

Sending hugs and prayers for comfort to the family and all who he touched. I know he is smiling from the heavens above! /fs 

Tom was one of a kind!  His humor was awesome.  His memory amazing.   From dressing as Gadafi at Halloween to 2am parties yelling "Warriors Come Out to Playyy!"    He never said a mean word about anyone.  We will miss you Tom!   I'm so glad I got the opportunity to hang out with you recently.   RIP dear friend.   Sorry the picture of us comes out on it's side.  I tried Tom, I tried.   LOL love you and will see you again one day!

OBITUARY

Thomas William Marshall

December 25, 1954 – July 27, 2019

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

Show your support

Send Flowers

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Memorial Service

Memorial Visitation and Reception