Donald Marshall Jr
Born In: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: September 13th, 1953
Passed in: Membertou, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: August 6th, 2009
It is with great sadness the family announces the end of an extraordinary life with the passing of Donald John Marshall, Jr. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, in Sydney, surrounded by the love of friends and family.
Born in Sydney, Sept. 13, 1953, he was the eldest son of the late Grand Chief Donald Marshall Sr. and Caroline Marshall (Googoo).
He was a member of St. Anne’s Mission Church and St. Anthony Daniel parish.
Donald Marshall Jr. had an enormously generous heart. He was an avid fisher with a great sense of humour who dedicated his life to fighting for Mi’kmaq rights. JR’s remarkable legacy include transforming the Canadian Justice System due to his wrongful conviction and incarceration in 1971; the recognition of Mi’kmaq Aboriginal and Treaty rights in the Supreme Court of Canada decision R. v Marshall (1999); and a double lung transplant in May 2003 that extended his life and enabled him to continue his fight for social justice to the very end of his life. He will be greatly missed as he profoundly inspired and deeply touched the hearts of those he encountered on his courageous journeys.
He is survived by his mother, Caroline Marshall Hobbs (Googoo; sisters, Rosanne (Joe Sylvester), Josephine (Chris Laporte), Laura (Wade Bowser), Virginia, Donna; and brothers, Pius (Doreen), David (Terry Lynn), Terry (Lee Marie), John, Simon (Adrianna) and Stephen. Also surviving are his wife, Colleen D’Orsay and their son, Donald John Craig Marshall; and his stepdaughter, Ashleen D’Orsay and Junior’s children, Crystal Nimchuk Mas’l, Randy Sack and grandchildren, Kenzie and Braelynn; and dearly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and godchildren. JR is fondly adored by special friend, Jane McMillan.
Predeceased by his father the late Grand Chief of the Mi’kmaq Nation Donald Marshall Sr., sister, Donna and her husband Stephen Anthony Gould, sister, Bernice Marshall and sister Margaret Madeline in infancy.
Special thanks to niece Madelaine O’Reilly for all of the loving care she gave to her uncle during his illness and to Grandfather William Commando for his spiritual guidance and friendship.
Family will receive visitors Saturday, Aug. 8, starting at 7 p.m. at Junior’s residence 53 Bradley St. Membertou, N.S. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10 at St. Anthony Daniel Church, Alexander Street, Sydney, followed by an honour walk from the church to the internment at Membertou Memorial Gardens and a salite at the Membertou Trade and Convention centre. The Revs. Donald MacGillivray and Gus McLeod officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Anne’s Mission Church, Membertou or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com
