Thomas R. Marston

Tom Marston was born in Detroit, MI the son of Russell and Elizabeth Marston. Tom grew up in Centerville, MA on Cape Cod and moved to Essex, CT with his family in 1942. He graduated from Pratt High School in 1945 and immediately joined the Navy. Tom was discharged after the war but was called up again during the Korean Conflict.

Tom married Marion E. Cook from East Haven, CT in 1950 and moved to Clinton, CT in 1952. He built boats with his father at the Westbrook Boat and Engine Company and continued as a marine carpenter at Essex Boat Works. In the 70’s Tom changed careers, graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1971 and became a carpentry teacher; first at the Vinal Regional Technical School Satellite in Essex, CT and then later at the parent school in Middletown. The family moved to Essex, CT in 1976.

An avid sailor from the age of nine Tom was one of the Essex fleet sailors that raced International 14 dinghies as far away as Canada, Annapolis and Bermuda in the 1950s and 60s. He later raced larger sailboats throughout eastern Long Island Sound. At various times he was a member of the Essex, Essex Corinthian, Pettipaug, North Cove and Baldwin Yacht Clubs.

Tom retired in 1992 and continued to enjoy sailing in Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Cape Cod and the Connecticut River with his wife and family. His wife Marion passed away in 2012.

Tom is survived by his brother Peter Marston of Columbia, CT; sister Alice Hurkett of Fairhope, AL; son Thomas R. Marston of Higganum, CT (wife Eileen); daughters Susan Marston of Annapolis, MD (wife Angela Borlik); Gretchen Griffin of Old Lyme, CT (husband Dan); and Sally Marston of Deep River, CT. Tom is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

Funeral Services will be on June 22, 2015 at 10:30 am at the Deep River Congregational Church, Church St., Deep River, CT. Donations can be made in Tom’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.