On October 22, 2025, Marshall “Mac” Allen Cummings, 49, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in the ICU burn unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The middle child of Carol (Cunning) and Allen B Cummings, Mac began his life in Burlington, Vt., on April 14, 1976, at Fletcher Allen Medical Center. From the beginning, Mac was destined to carve his own path. He graduated a Rebel from South Burlington High School before studying accounting and business at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Mac spent much of his time listening to and following the band Phish and other well-known jam bands around the country. One of his first entrepreneurial endeavors was selling grilled cheese-and-tomato sandwiches out of the back of his car to fund his travels. He met many friends and family at shows all over the U.S., surrounding himself with others who enjoyed the energy of music. He went on to own several businesses throughout the years, including 9th Generation of Vermont, a nod to his family’s early Vermont roots, selling Native Vermont clothing and stickers. He could also be found shouting to the masses from Mac’s Sugar Shack, vending snow cones, walking tacos and other yummy flavored goods from his tiki hut food truck at numerous events in the greater Burlington area. Most recently he cofounded YUT, a THC-infused soda business dispersed throughout the state.
Mac is survived by his mother, Carol Cummings of South Burlington, Vt.; brother, Brad Cummings of Williston, Vt.; sister, Cora (Cummings) Gauvin of East Longmeadow, Mass.; and his three beautiful children, Briar (11), Soren (6) and Bristol (4) Cummings, and their mother, Khari Lizotte of Essex Junction, Vt. He is also survived by his nephew, Alex Cummings; brother-in-law, Pete Gauvin; nieces, Bowen and Nora Gauvin; aunts, Cheryl Cunning of Springfield, Mass., and Sally Cummings of South Burlington, Vt.; and many other extended cousins, family and friends whom he considered family. He was predeceased by his father, Allen B Cummings; maternal grandmother and grandfather, Madeline (Willis) and Joseph “Papa” Cunning; paternal grandmother and grandfather, Nina (Barber) Cummings and Preston Cummings; and his beloved pug, Mugsy.
To have known Mac was to have loved Mac. “Unique,” “one of a kind” and “free spirit” were all terms used to describe Mac’s effect on the world. He was the light, positivity and love that so many people remember him for, and he gave that love unconditionally to all — whether they wanted it or not. Mac embodied what it meant to be a hippie, bestowing this term of endearment upon all. He wanted us to show love to the world and to each other, and he accepted everyone for who they were, regardless of their path in life. Mac would have been one of the first people to give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Always quick to offer a hand, a ride, a taco or a smile, he exuded positive energy as a way to comfort those who might be struggling with their own demons. One of his greatest goals in life was to help the world laugh more and take itself less seriously. Mac was synonymous with “FREE HUGS,” embracing anyone and everyone he could throw his arms around. The best way to honor his legacy is to carry on that spirit by offering big, loving bear hugs to those who need them most.
Mac will be deeply missed by his family, particularly his sweet children, who were the light of his life. Visiting hours for his nontraditional wake will be on Saturday, November 8, 2025, 1 to 4 p.m., at Stephen C Gregory and Son Cremation Service, 472 Meadowland Dr., South Burlington, VT. A celebration of life, ChopperPalooza, will be held in Mac’s memory in early summer 2026 in Burlington, Vt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WaterWheel, a Phish foundation, PO Box 4400, Burlington, VT 05406-4400, or to a charity of your choice. If donating to WaterWheel online, please note “In Memory of Marshall Cummings.”
This article appears in Nov 5-11 2025.
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