Marshall was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on April 4, 1958. In 1970, his family settled in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where Marshall attended school. He went on to SAIT, graduating with a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology. Marshall returned to Yellowknife and was employed by Hovat Construction, before beginning his long career with NWT Housing Corporation in 1980.
Marshall was well respected in the northern construction industry for his knowledge of design, construction and maintenance but was equally respected because of his honest and open approach. He was a tireless worker with a high standard of performance, both for himself and for his staff. He faced every day with a warm smile and a winning personality that brought out the best in people. His background as a civil engineering technologist and his work experience enabled him to deal across the wide spectrum of design and construction professionals and contractors both inside and outside government. Marshall had a tremendous sense of humour and it made working with him a delight.
For almost 30 years, Marshall worked to improve housing design, construction and maintenance specific to the requirements of the harsh climate in Canada’s North. Marshall was personally responsible for the design of many of the homeownership and rental housing units built across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut during the 1980’s, 1990’s and 2000’s. Most of these homes are still in use today and leave a lasting legacy of his contribution to the people of the North.
Of equal importance to Marshall was providing homes that instilled a sense of pride in the occupants. Many were homeownership units that were built by their owners using their own abilities. This required not only that Marshall’s designs be capable of enduring the harsh northern winters but also able to be built using basic construction and assembly techniques that a lay person could perform, with systems that residents could look after themselves.
Marshall had many outside interests and loved action. He loved his road trips on the motorcycle. He enjoyed music, cooking, home projects, and crosswords, and he loved his many pets - dogs, cats and turtles! Marshall had a special place in his heart for seniors, and after his retirement to Beaumont, Alberta, he became involved as a volunteer on the Board of the Beaumont Aging in Place Society where his knowledge of housing design, construction and maintenance were valuable assets to the local facility.
And most of all, Marshall loved his family and friends - he was the best husband, brother and friend anyone could have ever had. He truly cared about you and would do anything he could to help you!
Marshall passed away on October 3rd 2017, after a brief battle with cancer. Through this scholarship in his memory, we wish to honour Marshall’s values and contributions.
Marsh, you left us all too soon! |