Paul E. Marshall, 89, of New Bedford died Wednesday December 22, 2004 after a period of declining health. He was the husband of Florence (Vieira) Marshall; they were married for 64 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Edward and Virginia (Sylvia) Marshall, he was educated in Dartmouth and lived in New Bedford for most of his life. He was employed for 34 years by the City of New Bedford Water Department, serving the last 12 years as Water Registrar. Upon retiring from the Water Department in 1972 the Standard-Times "Took Its Hat Off To" him, honoring his "capacity for detailed accounting and skill in dealing with the public."
In 1949 he became a director of the New Bedford Municipal Employees' Credit Union, now known as the New Bedford Credit Union, which at the time occupied a small office in the upstairs of the New Bedford Fire Department headquarters. In 1966 he was elected president of the credit union, and under his leadership the credit union grew, moving to a larger location on Kempton Street. He also served as president of the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Credit Union League of Massachusetts. Though retired from the city, he continued with the New Bedford Credit Union as president and manager, until retiring in 1977.
An accomplished musician, he played brass instruments in local bands and was a member of the Cape Cod Organ Society. He was a former member of the Massachusetts Waterworks Association, the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, and secretary of Local 851, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. He enjoyed traveling, playing the organ, gardening, and spending time with his family. He was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church.
He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Joan M. Dean and her partner, Dawn Brocklehurst, and Mary Ann Marshall, all of New Bedford, and Sheila V. Marshall of Fairhaven; two sisters, Helene Severs of East Freetown and Virginia "Jean" Taber of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four nephews.
He was the brother of the late Sylvia Marshall.
His funeral will be held on Monday December 27, 2004 at 11 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Lawrence Church at 12 Noon. Visiting hours are omitted. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Holy Family-Holy Name School, 91 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740.