Conjuring up all he had learned, remembered and had been taught by three generations of his family, this retired Air Force man now has the time to pursue his passion for baking, and has made a business of it. Marvin and Octavia Townsend own Generations Cakes. Knowing about baking successfully is in the family genes. He’s been interested since the age of seven. Marvin’s logo reads: “Over Three Generations of Love in Every Bite.”

Marvin, originally from Washington, D.C., has lived in Gloucester since 2000, moving here from Charlottesville. Four years ago he decided to turn his love of baking into a business, acting on the advice of friends. For many years he had been making cakes as Christmas gifts. “My wife is my right hand person. I do all the baking and most all of the cooking at home. I like my kitchen to myself, but she does all the extra jobs that go along with the business,” Marvin explained, as Olivia followed up with a smile saying, “Th...