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Comment by Chris Combs on December 2, 2010 at 11:53pm

Hundreds turned out today for the funeral of third-generation firefighter Kenneth Marshall Jr., who at age 33, suffered a heart attack while responding to a routine call on Thanksgiving Day.

Firefighters from around the state stood in solemn salute along the sloping drive to the Community Covenant Church, not far from Rehoboth's Station 2, where the call firefighter served.

The No. 2 Fire Engine was parked in front of the church.

Rehoboth Deputy Fire Chief John Parker Jr. eulogized Marshall, saying he came from a family "steeped in fire service."

He said Marshall, as a kid, hung out at the fire station and grew from "rather rambunctious, to say the very least, and fearless" to becoming "a good firefighter." Traffic was detoured in Attleboro and Rehoboth along Route 118 and Tremont Street both before the 11 a.m. service and as the mourners made their way to the Oak Knoll Cemetery shortly after noon.

Comment by Chris Combs on December 2, 2010 at 11:51pm

It is with deep regret the Swansea Fire Department advises you that a Rehoboth Firefighter died last night after suffering a medical emergency while responding on a fire call. FF Kenneth Marshall Jr., was driving Rehoboth Engine Company 2 to a report of a kitchen fire, when his Firefighters noticed that Marshall was in sudden cardiac arrest, around 2130. The members of Engine 2 immediately stopped Engine 2 and immediately started CPR on FF Marshall. FF Marshall was rushed by Rehoboth Ambulance to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA. FF Marshall was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.


FF Marshall was married and the father of two children, ages 6 and 3. He had been a member of the department for 15 years. FF Marshall was the son of Kenneth Marshall Sr., a retired Rehoboth Firefighter, and the grandson of George "Rab'' Wetherall, who served 30 years on the department before retiring as a Deputy Chief. Marshall's brother, John, has been a Rehoboth Firefighter for a decade.