Marshall Sumner Wilkins

Marshall Sumner Wilkins, born on June 10, 1925 and of Sharon, the son of Sarah Flint Wilkins and Arthur Hamilton Wilkins, passed away suddenly and peacefully on February 2, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. In April 1961, Marshall married the love of his life, Beverly M. (Fulton) Wilkins. In addition to his wife, Marshall was the loving father to his daughters, Lesley Arlene Wilkins and Hilary Snow Tyson and her husband, Brett, all of Weymouth. He was also the devoted grandfather (known as Papa) to Alexandra Maeve Wilkins and Jake Christopher Tyson. He also leaves behind his beloved companion cat, Philomena. Born and raised in Milton, he was a graduate of Thayer Academy and Harvard University. Marshall served in the U.S. Army and was a Veteran of World War II. Marshall was the owner and President of Bay State Mailing and Dooley Press in Stoughton, formerly in Boston, for the past 65 years. An accomplished musician who studied with Dr. Snow at Trinity Church and had his first appointment of a music director at age 15 in Milton. He served several churches but spent the majority of his career as a music director and organist at Central Congregational Church in Newton where he developed a choir that brought him great joy. Marshall was also a past Dean of the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Marshall was an active member of Trinity Church of Boston, the 100 Club, the Harvard Club of Boston, St. John's Lodge of Boston, the American Guild of Organists and a lifelong friend of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife enjoyed traveling extensively visiting over 60 countries. His favorite places to travel were Russia and Eastern Europe. He enjoyed family vacations to Maine, where his wife grew up and learned to love the ocean. He also loved cruising to Bermuda with family. His greatest joys were spending time with his family and summers at his cottage at Stetson Pond on Blueberry Lane in Bryantville.

Marshall's happiest days were raising the flag at his cottage, going out on the boat with Brett, Hilary and Lesley and watching Alexandra and Jake having fun at the lake. Marshall lived his life to the fullest showing spirited curiosity and will be remembered for his forgiving and compassionate heart.

Marshall's family would like to extend sincere gratitude to Dr. Kross and Dr. Koza for their quality, compassionate care and to Reverend Jim Robinson for his spiritual and emotional support of our family during this difficult time.

At the family's request, there are no calling hours. A celebration of Marshall's life will be held at Trinity Church in Boston in May 2016. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marshall's memory may be made to the Unitarian Church of Sharon, c/o the Marshall Wilkins Memorial Concert Fund, 4 North Main Street, Sharon, MA 02067.