Obituary for Alfred "Freddy" Marshall
Alfred Frederick “Freddy” Marshall
May 10th, 1951 - March 25th, 2023
Fred Marshall, beloved husband of Olive Marshall (nee Bolger) of Lance au Diable, Labrador, passed away in Calgary, AB on March 25th, 2023, at the age of 71 years.
He was the loving father of Dalton (Brenda) Marshall of Airdrie, AB, Melody (Kelly) Chalmers of Calgary, AB and Ira (Kimberly) Marshall of Fort McMurray, AB. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Kyle (Michelle), Candice (Brett), Shelby, Logan, Jake, Brody; great grandchildren, Kade, Emery, Xavier and Knoxx; and siblings, Gordon Marshall, John (Lily) Marshall, Rosalie Cabot, Jim (Marie) Marshall. He was predeceased by his father, Alfred Marshall and mother, Gertrude (Fowler) Marshall of West St. Modeste, Labrador and his siblings, Minnie, Margaret, Violet, Stewart, Leo, Henry, Victor as well as his beloved furry friends Lassie, Benji and Macey.
Alfred “Freddy” Marshall was born in Lance au Diable on the Lower North Shore of Labrador in 1951 and was the youngest of 12 siblings. In 1971, he married Olive Bolger in nearby West St. Modeste, Labrador, where they met in primary school. Freddy and Olive spent their early years in Newfoundland and Labrador and eventually settled their young family out west in Fort McMurray, Alberta (1981). Freddy retired from Syncrude Canada Ltd., in 2008 after 30 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator, a career that he enjoyed because he got to “play in the sandbox” while operating the largest mining equipment in the world.
Freddy will always be known for his passion for music. He was a singer, guitar player and a master on the accordion who could lay down a blistering jig to get your feet stomping. Over the years, he and his fellow musicians entertained thousands of people at countless kitchen parties, music festivals, birthday’s, retirements, and community events. He also seized every opportunity to take part in organizing and playing for worthy fundraisers and charitable events. Freddy wrote and recorded songs about returning to Labrador on his album “Mother’s of Fisherman” and the life out west in the oil patch on the album “Tarsand Fever”. He was delightfully humbled to learn that his hit tune, “Teddy’s Barn”, was being played and performed in countries outside of Canada (as far as eastern Europe). The song was thought to be traditional by many, but it was written about the many nights playing music and “having a yarn”, at his buddy’s backyard shed. Freddy inspired many family members, friends, co-workers and strangers to play and write music.
His favourite place on earth was his Chalet located in “The Bay of Love” (Belles Amour, Quebec). Later this year he will return to The Bay of Love to forever enjoy his view of the ocean and to play a tune in his shed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Freddy’s memory to Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society (https://nlfolk.com/). A Service will be planned for a later date in West St. Modeste, Labrador.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Freddy, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
May 10th, 1951 - March 25th, 2023
Fred Marshall, beloved husband of Olive Marshall (nee Bolger) of Lance au Diable, Labrador, passed away in Calgary, AB on March 25th, 2023, at the age of 71 years.
He was the loving father of Dalton (Brenda) Marshall of Airdrie, AB, Melody (Kelly) Chalmers of Calgary, AB and Ira (Kimberly) Marshall of Fort McMurray, AB. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Kyle (Michelle), Candice (Brett), Shelby, Logan, Jake, Brody; great grandchildren, Kade, Emery, Xavier and Knoxx; and siblings, Gordon Marshall, John (Lily) Marshall, Rosalie Cabot, Jim (Marie) Marshall. He was predeceased by his father, Alfred Marshall and mother, Gertrude (Fowler) Marshall of West St. Modeste, Labrador and his siblings, Minnie, Margaret, Violet, Stewart, Leo, Henry, Victor as well as his beloved furry friends Lassie, Benji and Macey.
Alfred “Freddy” Marshall was born in Lance au Diable on the Lower North Shore of Labrador in 1951 and was the youngest of 12 siblings. In 1971, he married Olive Bolger in nearby West St. Modeste, Labrador, where they met in primary school. Freddy and Olive spent their early years in Newfoundland and Labrador and eventually settled their young family out west in Fort McMurray, Alberta (1981). Freddy retired from Syncrude Canada Ltd., in 2008 after 30 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator, a career that he enjoyed because he got to “play in the sandbox” while operating the largest mining equipment in the world.
Freddy will always be known for his passion for music. He was a singer, guitar player and a master on the accordion who could lay down a blistering jig to get your feet stomping. Over the years, he and his fellow musicians entertained thousands of people at countless kitchen parties, music festivals, birthday’s, retirements, and community events. He also seized every opportunity to take part in organizing and playing for worthy fundraisers and charitable events. Freddy wrote and recorded songs about returning to Labrador on his album “Mother’s of Fisherman” and the life out west in the oil patch on the album “Tarsand Fever”. He was delightfully humbled to learn that his hit tune, “Teddy’s Barn”, was being played and performed in countries outside of Canada (as far as eastern Europe). The song was thought to be traditional by many, but it was written about the many nights playing music and “having a yarn”, at his buddy’s backyard shed. Freddy inspired many family members, friends, co-workers and strangers to play and write music.
His favourite place on earth was his Chalet located in “The Bay of Love” (Belles Amour, Quebec). Later this year he will return to The Bay of Love to forever enjoy his view of the ocean and to play a tune in his shed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Freddy’s memory to Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society (https://nlfolk.com/). A Service will be planned for a later date in West St. Modeste, Labrador.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Freddy, please visit www.choicememorial.com.