THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 23, 1995 TAG: 9507220099
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Coastal Journal
SOURCE: Mary Reid Barrow
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
Say ``bottle bill'' in Virginia Beach and folks think of John F. Marshall Jr.
Marshall, a retired businessman who died last Saturday, persistently and consistently pushed Virginia's General Assembly for the passage of a bottle bill for well over a decade. Although he never met with success, his determination was typical of the way he would keep after a cause, especially one for the good of Virginia Beach.
Marshall's fellow Virginia Beach Audubon Society members Betsy Nugent and Sue Carlyle both recall his devotion to cleaning up the city and the rest of the state with the passage of mandatory refundable bottle legislation.
``Every time the bottle bill came up, he took the floor and you wondered if you'd every get him to sit down!'' said Carlyle, laughing fondly.
``When he got his teeth into something, he was a little like a bulldog,'' Nugent recalled. ``Though he was dogged in pursuit of a good cause, he was never rude.
``He knew his facts, too,'' she went on. ``He knew what he was talking about. You couldn't catch him out on that.''
The bottle bill was Marshall's most public cause. However, when it came to the health and welfare of Virginia Beach, Marshall was always there with both his energy and his financial resources.
Maury Jackson, who worked on a number of civic endeavors with Marshall, said he will remember Marshall most for his help in establishing the 24th Street Park. When Jackson and others set out to persuade the city to buy the vacant lot and establish a park there, they were getting nowhere fast.
``I took him (Marshall) down there one windy cold March, trying to raise money to buy the land,'' Jackson said. ``He said, `Well, how much do you want?' I blurted out a figure and John said, `OK' and the next day he gave me a check.''
Marshall's was among the first and was the largest monetary gift in support of the park, and his donation proved to be the catalyst for the city's support of the citizen effort. It also paved the way for other gifts that eventually created 24th Street Park, now a jewel among the high rises at the Oceanfront.
Jackson also remembers the time that Marshall kept the Sugar Plum Bakery in operation when it was about to close its doors for financial reasons.
``He was really a great one for being alert to a need,'' Jackson said, ``and doing something about it. He was very generous.''
Marshall supported many other Virginia Beach institutions, from the Virginia Beach Foundation to the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts, but his greatest love was the environment. The Nature Conservancy, which is one of the groups his family has designated for memorial contributions, was among the environmental groups benefiting from his generosity.
Of the many environmental causes with which Marshall was associated, perhaps recycling was his most personal cause. His support of the bottle bill was a public thing, but Marshall and his wife, Eleanor, always put their actions where their mouths were.
``Boy, did he recycle,'' said Carlyle. ``Most people don't bother with magazines, but he even carried magazines to Chesapeake. He and Eleanor recycled everything.''
Although known for his generosity to his causes. Marshall also was known for his generous spirit. ``He was such a gentlemen,'' said Nugent, ``very cordial and very kind.''
Several people, like Carlyle and Nugent, who are interested in the environment, were struck by the loss of both Marshall and in the spring, another environmentalist, Spencer Wise.
``We've lost two really neat men when it comes to the environment,'' Carlyle said.
Now, Virginia Beach has some big shoes to fill if we want to keep our community healthy and beautiful.
P.S. MEET JACK TAR, as played by maritime historian Bob Harvey, and explore the life of a 19th century sailor at a program that runs continuously from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Francis Land House. The program is included in admission to the house. Call 340-1732.
TAKE A HIKE FROM THE BEACH TO THE MARSH and view the flora and fauna of a barrier spit from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at False Cape State Park. The trip will depart from Little Island Park at the south end of Sandbridge for the trip into the park. Call 426-7128 or 426-2610 for reservations.
LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY, ECOLOGY AND GEOLOGY of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge from 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 30. Refuge Volunteer Reese Lukei, who also is an expert on birds of prey, will lead the walk. Call 721-2412 for reservations.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP also will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the refuge. The workshop is designed to provide teachers, Scout leaders and others with the information they need to plan environmental education trips to the refuge. Call 721-2412 for reservations.
WHILE YOU WERE AWAY, an exhibit of photos and memorabilia chronicling the demolition of old landmarks, like the Avamere Hotel and the Peppermint Beach Club, is on display through Sept. 10 at the Life-Saving Museum of Virginia, 24th Street and Atlantic Avenue.
THE TIDEWATER DAYLILY SOCIETY'S annual daylily sale continues from noon to 6 p.m. today at McDonald's Garden Center, 1144 Independence Blvd. More than 40 varieties of lilies will be available at $5 per plant or $20 for five plants. Call 481-2285 for more information. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
[John F. Marshall]
by CNB