Marshall D. Strickland

Marshall D. Strickland, 95, longtime resident of Amherst, NH, died on October 6, 2026 at the Elliot Hospital, Manchester, NH.

He was born on May 22, 1931 in Concord, NH, the son of Francis Strickland and Agnes (Sherman) Strickland. Marshall attended school in Washington, NH.

Mr. Strickland was a US Army veteran having served during the Korean War.

He had owned and operated People’s Laundry, Milford, NH for many years.

Mr. Strickland joined the Amherst Fire Department in 1957, beginning a lifetime of dedicated service to his community.

He rose through the ranks to lead the department as Fire Chief from 1972 until his retirement in 1989. Throughout his 32-year tenure, Chief Strickland left a profound legacy on the department and the community he protected. He also held a unique and sacred place in local firefighting history as the last surviving member of the historic Lawrence Engine Company.

Family members include his loving wife, Audrey (Harrington) Strickland of Amherst, NH; a son and daughter-in-law, Wayde Strickland and Sharon of Greenfield, NH; a daughter, Cara McCrea of Enterprise, AL; a son, Mark Strickland of Avon, CO; five grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren; a sister, Cynthia Bruss of Springfield, NH; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 22nd from 5:00-7:00pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 24th at 11:00am in the Meadowview Cemetery, Foundry Street, Amherst, NH. Following the service, all are invited to join the family at the Amherst Congregational Church, 11 Church Street, Amherst, NH for refreshments. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Amherst Fire Department, 177 Amherst Street, Amherst, NH 03031.

Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com