J. Laird Marshall

John Laird Marshall was born in Madison on December 15, 1937, to John and Sally Owen Marshall, and an extended Wisconsin family. He grew up in Wisconsin, and in Texas, and graduated from Wisconsin High, alongside cousins and friends with whom he maintained a strong lifelong affiliation. It was in high school where he started his first musical group, the Chartreuse Seven (named after the color of their bow ties), which led to a lifetime of performing as a jazz pianist and vocalist.

Laird graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1960, and while there started a jazz quintet called The Laird Marshall Group. He also performed with Haresfoot, an all-male musical theater troupe, and Humorology, a musical fraternity and sorority revue. He also received campus-wide acclaim for his satirical Victor Borge-like performances.

After college, Laird taught high school mathematics in the Madison area, and also for two years in northern Nigeria, with a UW/Ford Foundation project. He received his doctorate from Columbia Teachers College, and while in New York City was deeply involved in anti-Vietnam war activities. Back in the Madison area, Laird worked at the U.W. Education Research Center, and the Poverty Institute. He taught mathematics and statistics at UW-Madison, Edgewood College, and finally at Madison Area Technical College.

Laird married Alice D’Alessio in 1985, and they were partners for the remainder of his life. They shared enthusiasm for travel, writing, cooking, music, and prairie restoration. They dedicated much of their time together, and retirement, to spending time at “The Valley,” a family property in Iowa County. They shared a very active social life with many friends, and a close connection to their families.

Laird sang for many years with the Madison Philharmonic Chorus, as did his father before him. After retirement, he played piano with three jazz groups: a septet and two big bands, for 20 years. He and Alice were active in retirement, attending concerts and plays, spending time with their grandchildren, and getting together with the long-standing “Movie Group.”

Laird passed away peacefully, in hospice care. He is survived by his beloved poet/writer wife, Alice, her sons and their families including 6 grandchildren, sister Jan Marshall Fox, sister-in-law Meg Marshall, many Owen and Marshall cousins, a niece, and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Owen.

In lieu of cards or flowers, the family would be grateful for donations made to:

• ~The Madison Philharmonic Chorus or your favorite music organization
• ~WayForward Resources
• ~The Owen Marshall Fund at the UW-Eau Claire Foundation