Marshall W. Wagner

GRAY – Marshall W. Wagner, 94, passed peacefully on May 10, 2025, following a brief hospitalization.

Marshall was born on Jan. 25, 1931, in Keene, N.H., to Joshua and Ruth Wagner. He was the oldest of three children. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth “Liz” (Arbo), and they were together for 62 years at the time of her passing.

He worked tirelessly to provide for his family to ensure that they were afforded basic comforts and opportunities that he and Liz often lacked growing up. They raised their family in Cumberland where he was active with the Cumberland Fire and Rescue Departments and was captain of Engine 7. He was proud of his impeccable safety record in his many years driving commercial trucks and his cab was always “spit polish” shiny. After retirement, he and Liz traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada and enjoyed summers at Winslow Park in Freeport, and on White Head Island in New Brunswick, Canada.

Marshall loved music and taught himself to play a myriad of instruments. However, the instrument he honed and utilized the most was his rich tenor voice. He loved singing barbershop harmony and was an active member of the Downeasters Chorus for 43 years. Throughout the years, he participated in several barbershop quartets and served in many capacities. He proudly served as board member for the Northeastern District of the Barbershop Harmony Society and was the recipient of many awards and honors. He spent countless hours at the Yarmouth Clam Festival preparing and selling the now legendary lime rickeys and was one of the collaborators in developing its recipe.

Marshall was slight in stature but large in personality, a man of many talents and accomplishments. He loved his country and was a veteran of the Korean War. His friends and family were everything to him.

Marshall was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth; his brother, Kenneth Wagner, and sister, Reba Dunlop.

He is survived and will be missed by daughters Dianne Walton and husband, Glenn and Dawn MacLearn and husband, Raymond. “Crappa”, as he was lovingly known, is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer Whelan and husband Christopher, Meredith MacLearn, Joshua MacLearn and wife Ashley, and Aric Walton and wife Jessica. He will also be missed by great-grandchildren Maddison MacLearn, Aidan Walton, Declan Whelan, Morgan Walton, and Ada MacLearn.

Friends and family are invited to gather in celebration of Marshall’s life on Sunday, June 22, at 2 p.m. at the Amvets Hall, 148 North Rd., Yarmouth.

Please visit http://www.cascobaycremation.com to leave condolences for the family and to sign Marshall’s online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to

The Downeasters Chorus

P.O. Box 48

Yarmouth, ME 04096

and designate in honor of Marshall Wagner.

You may also visit downeasters.org, go to the About tab and then select Support the Downeasters to make a donation online.

All monies donated will provide scholarships for youth in their pursuit of music education.