Eric Lewis Marshall

May u rest in peace

I was in the Canadian Forces for over 30 years, yet Eric taught me the tennis table forehand salute, l salute right back at ya buddy! RIP
Roger

We remember our dear friend, Eric, with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss!

What a kind and gentle man. We will miss you. Sending love from England xx

My sincere condolences to the Marshall family at this most difficult time.

Eric and I played many different sports together while growing up in Crystal Beach.

May Eric rest in eternal peace 🙏

Eric had become part of the fabric of my existence as we regularly pounded table tennis balls in my basement. I don’t see this tear mending anytime soon. He has left too big a hole.

Eric and I played table tennis at the same club for two years. He was a man of few words, but he was always genuine and kindly gave me coaching on my game. I am deeply saddened by his passing, and my thoughts and heart go out to his family.

As a table tennis player with lots of bad habits and poor technique I found Eric to be kind , patient and generous with his time and advice . He often played with those who were clearly not as good just so that he could help them get better by his special brand of instruction . Eric my improved forehand stroke is played in memory of you .

I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing. He was a very passionate player and a good friend. I will forever miss playing with him and our crazy antics together. My most sincere condolences to his family and friends. May he be at peace.

He was one of the first people to embrace my return to TT. A gracious person, fierce competitor, my Team Captain, absolutely great practice buddy, and, a gentleman.
I will miss him greatly.
Rest now my friend…..

It is very sad to lose such a wonderful person, who was not only a great table tennis player but also a wonderful man. May God bless his soul and give strength to his loved ones to cope with this loss.

What a kind, considerate , passionate excellent person he was. I will miss him greatly. I am still learning from videos of him playing and dominating in table tennis. He was so much respected in the table tennis community. RIP …

This is very sad news. I hadn’t seen Eric for many years but I have many fond memories of him and Glen. As a young dude, Eric’s kindness and sense of humor affected many folks in such a positive way that I can just imagine the good energy he put out through his life. I’m very glad I knew him and my prayers go out to his family and friends.

I saw Eric over many years now and then at three different table tennis clubs. When he spotted me, he would often announce my name in a loud voice with that deadpan humour he had. Eric was one of the best players I ever met. He once beat Pat Halle in a tournament final even though Pat had won a very strong local A tournament and rarely lost even at the Chinese Club. But Eric’s greatest strength was comebacks. He was the best I ever saw from winning from behind. One time he won a semifinal from 6 – 10 down by taking the last six points. Steve L. told me that story with awe. I lost count of how great comebacks Eric made. I watched him turn a losing 0 – 2 tournament final into a 3 – 2 win against a player who was smashing bullets. Eric won that match by half an inch but I still don’t know how. I had the pleasure of practicing with Eric for a few months before COVID. He was that rare combination of ferocious competitor and scrupulous sportsman. He had a temper at times but I never knew him to turn it against anyone else. And he was quite complimentary when you played well. Eric had a sort of philosophical side to him. He was interested in the fact that I could beat one player he couldn’t. In his low-key way, Eric liked to discuss table tennis in some detail. And he never rubbed it in when he won which made him fun to play against which was good for me because I only beat him twice in many matches and once was in doubles which he didn’t really like. Eric told me that he once decided to give up table tennis because he had enough but returned to it to please some of his friends. The day I remember the best with Eric was when he told me how he had just competed in The Police and Fire Games and had finished first amongst the firefighters who were from a number of countries around the world. He was so proud of his play – justifiably so – that was the only time I ever heard him brag despite his countless table tennis feats. Eric had a warrior’s will to win but he had his ego firmly in check. I will miss him. And whenever I lose a game from 10 – 6 up, I’ll think of Eric.

Dan Wallace

My deepest condolences. Eric was a great guy. Excellent at any sport he chose and always competitive. My prayers for the Marshal clan. 🙏🏻

I played table tennis every Tuesday for 10 years with Eric, I learned everything about table tennis from him. We would practice for 2-3 hours a day. It’s sad to lose a great person like him. May God bless his soul, Rest in Peace.

Eric,
I have no doubt you’re still hitting the ball hard – just in a better place, where rackets never get broken, balls never crack, and nobody puts a hand on the table until the rally is over.

Thank you for all the time at the table and around the club.

“Luckiest Croatian” – Eric was saying to me for yeaaaars… since I hit the super-combo of net + edge… and, on a big point. Eric simply threw his racket in the air… no desire whatsoever of catching it
Unique style – From where to start… I never seen him playing in sport shorts (always in cargo), and who puts rubber bands on the handle, backhand blocking or attacking (his fav shot shot) was super unique and lethal, awkward forehand (staying ‘frozen’ when balls comes back to him)… a poster boy for ‘..and this is kids how you shouldn’t be playing’… and subject of endless talk on “how he does that” …and yet, he was beating much better players… like that player in USA who was throwing racket after losing to Eric… Eric was all smiles back home after that one.
Number of broken rackets – …we don’t want to go there
Tomahawk shot – everybody in the gym knew it when he hit one
Shared Passions – Karlovacko & ‘love’ for pips
Love for the game – NOBODY played the game in our region as much as Eric did; Chinese club, Aylmer, RA, OTTC, Champlain… if the room had a TT table, Eric was there…
I was going over our text messages… him saying in one “Agreed life ain’t fair” hit the spot…
I will miss you Eric, rest in peace

Many an evening enjoying a game of chess with Eric. Always a thoughtful man with that voice of reason. He also gave me the hardest body check I ever had in hockey… (deserved) May we all find comfort in the memories shared with him.

Although it’s been many years since I last saw Eric, I remember him with fondness. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Catherine and family,
Thinking of you and sorry for your loss.
Love,
Aunt Norma Ross

Cathy, i am sorry for your loss my condolences to you and the family.may his soul rest in peace 🙏

Oh my, very saddened to hear of your passing Eric. Condolences to your family and may you rest in peace. I learned a lot from you as you improved immensely over the years. You showed me how to hit high bouncing balls using the tomahawk swing among other things. Your sportsmanship, your desire, your increasing knowledge, were really a shining light to me. I always felt lucky when I got to play you. Thanks for consenting to play doubles on occasion even though you preferred singles.
It really won’t be the same without you.

Condolences to the Marshall family. Rest in peace Ric.

Eric, thank you for all the great memories playing on the table. It wont be the same without you around! Condolences to the family!