Though Eric’s obituary merely mentions his 25 years as JMA President, it is not an overstatement that those 25 years were consequential for the JMA and will continue to be felt for many years to come. He was THE instrument in reviving interest in our family and the association. While serving as Historian from 1975 until 2023, Eric also served as a Board Member and Vice-President from 1975 – 1980, President 1980 – 2005, and finally Vice-President of Finance and Board Emeritus from 2005 until his death in 2023. Eric reinvigorated the singing of the Scottish songs while playing his pipes and the piano with great gusto. He led the choir for the church service at the reunion’s finale. Eric produced the Journal for many years. It was Eric who decided to meet at SUNY-Delhi so that the family would have a place to stay together in one
place during the reunion and who asked the Lehmans to computerize the genealogy. Please raise a glass of your favorite single malt Scotch to Eric’s memory.
Please enjoy the obituary of this wonderful man.
Eric More Marshall (7.10.711), Captain, U. S. Navy (Retired) of North East and Naples, FL, passed away on Saturday December 2, 2023 at his residence. He was born on March 12, 1944, the son of the late Roger Pettit Marshall and Adelaide More Marshall and was raised on the family farm in North East.
Eric was a graduate of North East High School, Class of 1962. He was awarded a baccalaureate degree in social studies and education at Parsons College, Fairfield Iowa where he was initiated into Alpha Chi Rho fraternity and a master’s degree in history from the Pennsylvania State University.
Eric was a commissioned officer in the Naval Reserve and served aboard the USS Keppler (DD-765) home-ported in Newport. Aboard Keppler he served as Electrical Officer, Damage Control Officer and Administrative Officer. He was aboard when Keppler received a direct hit in its forward gun mount during the Vietnam conflict. Eric served for over twenty-four years in the Naval Reserve holding three commands in Erie and one in Buffalo. While on annual active duty for training he served on several ships and ended his career on the staff of the Supreme Command, Atlantic. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and many other honors. He retired at the rank of Captain. Following retirement, he earned a 200-ton U. S. Coast Guard Master’s License and served as a charter boat captain in the Erie area.
Following graduate school at Penn State University, Eric worked for several years as a representative for the Traveler Insurance Company. He was employed for a year as a social studies teacher in the Iroquois School District and then served for nearly thirty years in the Harbor Creek School District in the social studies department where he was voted the “Teacher of the Year Award” by the student body, retiring in 2005. He served four terms as President of the Harbor Creek Education Association.
Active in church music, Eric served in churches in Fairfield, Iowa, Bellefonte, Erie, and Naples, FL. He retired as Director of Sacred Music at Faith Lutheran Church in Harborcreek, a position he held for twenty-six years. He had accumulated over fifty years in church music throughout his lifetime. He was a bagpipe soloist with the Erie Chamber Orchestra. He was a member of Koinonia of Erie County where he served on several teams.
Interested in volunteer work, Eric served as President of the YMCA in North East and Vice Chairman of the Board of the East Side YMCA in Harborcreek. He served several terms as President of the North East Cemetery Association. He was Commander, Chaplain and life member of American Legion Post 105 in North East and President of the Erie Council, Navy League. In twenty years serving on the board of Americo Federal Credit Union, he served as chair man several times. For twenty-five years he served as President of the John More Association, his family’s genealogical organization. He was also President of the North East Historical Society and a life member of VFW Post 4789 of North East. He was a member of Legion of Honor, Chapel of the Four Chaplains.
An active member of the Masonic Fraternity, Eric was a Past Master of North East Lodge, #399 where he served many years as trustee. He was Director of Music for the Valley of Erie, Scottish Rite also served for thirteen years as Secretary of the Valley. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award and was coroneted a Thirty Third Degree in Grand Rapids, MI. He was also Commander of Clarence Commandry, #51 in Corry and a member of Temple Royal Arch Chapter, Jerusalem Council and Mt. Olivet Commandry in Erie. He was elected to membership in the St. John’s Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. He was a Knight of the Royal Order of Scotland and was a member of Zem Zem Shrine where he was a trustee of the Knights of Mecca and a member of the Zem Zem Zailors. He was a Past Patron of Shiloh Chapter #153, Order of the Eastern Star.
Active in viticulture, Eric served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Grape Grower’s Association. He also introduced wine grapes on the family farm and was instrumental in the development of a new white wine grape known as Chardonel. He was well known as an amateur wine maker, received awards for his product and enjoyed giving wine to his friends and neighbors.
As a member of the Erie Yacht Club, Eric served four years as Director of the Reyburn Sailing School. He owned several sail boats but took great delight in “Piper’s Due II,” last boat, which he sailed throughout the Great Lakes and on which he entertained family and friends. He was the founder and master of ceremonies for the annual, well attended scotch tasting, which piqued interest in scotch and Scottish food.
Eric is survived by his wife, Nancy Lee Suydam Marshall, whom he married March 12, 1966; daughters, Dr. Deborah Lynn Marshall Bigley (Scott Bigley) and Laura Anne Nelson (Dr. Chris Nelson); sister, Christine B. Leety (Rev. William Leety); grandchildren, Josef Marshall Prem (Maggie Prem) and Taylor More Prem; granddaughter, Raelynn Jane Prem; and several nieces and nephews.
