John Stanley Marshall (A 43-47) sadly passed away on Sunday 25th October aged 91. We have received an obitary from a friend, Tim Hawkins, who had known him for 57 years through his association with the legal profession.

"The first time I met John was when I was 13 and I was attending my first Hill House Old Boys’ Association Xmas Dinner in 1963. I saw this man sitting on the top table – he was the Secretary at the time – and with his rather NHS style spectacles and Mr. Pastry hair style I thought he looked about 60 at the time!!! He was actually 33!

After I left school I followed in JSM’s footsteps and took over the Secretary’s job from him. I then became involved with Doncaster Town Cricket Club in 1968 and JSM was a staunch member of the Hockey club. Bearing in mind that he was Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman and President during his years with DHC he did well to find time to actually play!

Having read all the tributes that have flowed on Facebook, texts, messages etc. that sprang up from his very sad demise there were several similar comments: “He was a true gentleman” “He was a great man” “He was a lovely man” “He was a great talisman for the Club” etc.  But the irony for me was that he was an incredibly private person even though he would talk to anyone anywhere. He safeguarded his own privacy but when with a crowd of friends, he would be the life and soul of the party.

He was a very active person and partook in half marathons as if they were a 100 yards race!

John’s travelling jaunts were of course a great part of his life. I’m not sure about North America but he certainly did all the other continents and most of the countries around the world.

John lived life to the full but at the centre of it all was hockey – plus a few cricket matches with Yorkshire and England of course, where John was often regarded as their mascot and it played a massive part of his life. He would be a daily visitor to Doncaster Hockey Club for a pint – or two, where he would stand at the bar and discuss any topical subject and not be afraid to put forward his views. He was very proud to be the President when Yorkshire won the County Championship with a number of DHC players being involved. But he was equally as proud that Doncaster Town Cricket Club won at Lords in 1998.

When John had his difficulties in the early part of 2019 his participation in the Club took a step backward and he decided that he could not look after himself at home and he went to St. Mary’s Home where his mother had gone. However, with the help of a couple of DHC stalwarts he found Elm Park Care Home in Woodlands where he was able to live a more peaceful life in wonderful surroundings. And there he stayed until he picked up some problems a couple of weeks ago. Those led to his being hospitalised and at the end he declined the offer of more treatment by the doctors as I’m sure that he felt that he didn’t want to cause fuss and bother and he wanted to have a peaceful exit from this world which then ensued shortly after.

John led a wonderful life and was an example to us all in many places and many ways. We shall all miss him greatly, but he will never ever leave our thoughts. Thanks John for being John Marshall. RIP."

Tim Hawkins