RIP John Marshall

The Dom Post reports:

Much-loved Wellington lawyer John Marshall, QC, has died after battling a brain tumour.

The 68-year-old died “peacefully and surrounded by family” at his Wellington home on Sunday morning.

The prominent Wellingtonian was diagnosed with a brain tumour 11 months ago.

He is survived by his wife Mary, their three children, John, Annabel and Clementine, and his granddaughter Rose.

“John was an exceptionally warm, loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather.

“He was accepting, courageous and strong during the last 11 months. Throughout his illness, he said that he had had a wonderful life. We will miss him deeply,” they said.

Marshall was a highly regarded litigator whose services to the law were recognised this year when he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

He was former president of the New Zealand Law Society, and in his five-year tenure as chief commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, Marshall led such prominent New Zealand cases as the Carterton balloon disaster and the Easy Rider fishing boat tragedy.

Marshall was a hugely respected lawyer and contributed much to New Zealand and Wellington.

“Part of John Marshall’s legacy to transport safety will be his firm advocacy for better regulation and zero tolerance of substance impairment in safety critical transport roles,” Transport Accident Investigation Commission chief commissioner Helen Cull added.

Marshall was also a significant contributor to the national life of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, Knox Church Dunedin minister Kerry Enright said.

“He was conciliatory and gentle in his style, and his professionalism and wisdom together with his warmth and convivial humanity echoed the churches values and helped people respond in difficult circumstances.”

“He was just a wonderfully warm, encouraging, positive, thoughtful compassionate person to me,” Enright said.

Wellington College headmaster Roger Moses first met Marshall in his role on the Wellington College Board of Trustees, when Marshall appointed him to the headmaster role almost 20 years ago today.

Marshall was head prefect of Wellington College in 1964, on the Board of Trustees and chairman of the Wellington College Foundation.

“He will be very sadly missed. I feel pretty emotional, he’s been a wonderful friend,” Moses said.

Marshall was “integrity personified”, he said.

“It’s easy for someone like me to come out with a lot of cliches, but he really was a wonderful human being.”

As always thoughts are with his family and friends.

John Marshall was the son of former National Prime Minister Jack Marshall. I always though John Marshall would have been an excellent MP if he had also gone into politics.