Powerboat fraternity says farewell to Garth Marshall

Marshall, who was a member of the TTP BA for over 20 years, died at age 61 last Thursday after a short battle with lung cancer.

Many members of the Trinidad and Tobago Powerboat Association (TTP BA) paid tribute to Marshall by wearing their team jerseys at the funeral service, held at the Church of the Assumption in Maraval.

One of those paying tribute to Marshall at the service was secretary of the TTP BA Alfred Bell.

Bell remembered Marshall as a pragmatic person saying, “the very nature of our competitive membership (TTP BA) meant on quite a few occasions tempers will flair with colourful and abusive language aimed at the top.

Whenever Garth was the target he would never react, he would calmly listen and promptly do his best.” Bell also remembered Marshall’s insightfulness and sense of humour. Bell said even when Marshall informed members of the Association that he had cancer he calmly said it was just another life hurdle to overcome.

Marshall’s wife Pixie reminisced about her late husband.

She said, “Garth was a kind, loving, supportive, loyal, devoted man.

There was a warmth in his personality. Garth was a very laid back man, a very unassuming man, but never mistake his kindness for weakness. Garth took pride in every aspect of his life. He was my rock on which I stood.” Pixie said although most people believed she was a strong person, Marshall was her top supporter and she would not have been successful without him. “He was my partner, my adviser, my cheerleader, he helped me every step of the way.” In July of this year the TTP BA gave Marshall the “Carib Powerboat Award for Excellence” for his service to the Powerboat Association and the sport.

Other mourners yesterday included Colin Murray, former Sponsorship and Events Manager at Carib Brewery; Ian McKenzie, Genesis band leader and several others.