Firefighters Prepare Fallen Brother's Memorial Service

Third-generation firefighter, . would have been the first to the scene of a chimney fire that began on Sunday afternoon, less than a mile from Station 2 of the Rehoboth Fire Department, but the firefighters responded to the call without their brother, Ken. 

Marshall, 33, lost his life on Thanksgiving day while on a call to a kitchen fire in his hometown. Just days after his sudden death, firefighters are seeing to it that his wife and two children, ages 6 and 3, are taken care of.

"Ken was such a great family guy," said Capt. Jeff Rassol after assisting with the Tremont Street fire. "Family always came first for him."

Because of that, the fire department plans to help the family through its Fire Chaplain Fund and are encouraging others to offer their support for the family by donating to the Marshall Children's Fund through Webster Bank, according to Chief Robert Pray. The fund has been created by Marshall's employer, J.H. Lynch of Cumberland, RI. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 7201 Cumberland, RI 02864.

The last few days have been rough on the group of volunteer firefighters and it showed at the scene of the Sunday afternoon run. Firefighters were somber at best as they worked to put out the fire. The only smiles came when Chief Robert Pray spoke of Marhsall's determination."Ken would have had the first truck here," Pray said.

"We have to lean on each other," Rassol said. "The area fire departments' support has been overwhelming and we've all needed to band together – we are a brotherhood."

The support from Attleboro Fire Department Capt. Keith Jackson came instantly, according to Rassol. Jackson handles critical stress situations, for area departments. And before Jackson was even notified by the department, he was already at Station 2 offering support and placing black bunting on the station signs. 

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Local Assistance State Teams (LAST) is working with the department to provide assistance to the Marshall family. The objective of LAST is to provide comfort to the family and department immediately after a tragedy that occurs in the line of duty. The group also helps with filing of federal, state and local benefits. Westport's Capts. Allen Manley and Michael P. Silvia are members of the team assisting Marshall's family and brothers.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours for Marshall on Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 2-4 p.m. and 6–9 p.m. in the Foley- Hathaway  Funeral Home, 126 South Main St., Attleboro

His funeral service will be held Thursday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. in the Community Covenant Church, 615 Tremont St. Rehoboth. Burial will follow in Oak Knoll Cemetery, Rehoboth.