It is with sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of the Rev. Marshall T. Rice, peacefully at home in Quonochontaug, RI.
Born in South Orange, Marshall was a graduate of Kent School (1952) in Kent, CT, Princeton University (1956) and General Theological Seminary (1959).
During the 1960s and '70s, Marshall served in several Episcopal congregations in our diocese, first as curate at Christ Church in Hackensack, then as rector of the Church of the Atonement in Fair Lawn, and later as rector of Christ Church in Ridgewood.
Active in 1960s civil rights activities, he was proud to have marched with Dr. King in the March on Washington in 1963 as president of the New Jersey chapter of the Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity.
In the 1980s and '90s, he was the founder and principal of Marshall Rice Associates, an executive search consulting firm that specialized in not-for-profit organizations. He then served as Deployment Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, interim rector of Trinity Church, Newport, RI, and as Retired Associate Clergy at Christ Church, Westerly, RI. He also served as board member and capital campaign co-chair of the Chorus of Westerly, president of the Charlestown Land Trust, and moderator of Central Beach Fire District, Quonochontaug, RI.
Marshall is survived by his wife, Betsey (Hofer) Rice. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Elizabeth (Thornton) Rice. Besides his wife, he is survived by his three children, Cindy Kirtland and her husband Joe; Jim Rice and his wife Cait Goodwin; and Alison Kolozsvary and her husband Andrew; by two step children, Sarah Hall Soss and her husband Marc; and Josh Hall and his wife Julie; and by six grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 21 at 1 p.m. at Christ Church in Westerly, RI. Donations in his memory may be made to Christ Church, Westerly, Episcopal Charities of Rhode Island, or the Chorus of Westerly.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Marshall to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
