October 26, 2026

Rev. Joseph P. Marchese, passes away at age 83

REGIONAL
Staff Report

Fr. Joseph Marchese (Photo by Peter Julian)

HOLYOKE – The Rev. Joseph P. Marchese, a priest of the Diocese of Springfield and a member of the Ordination Class of 1969, died on Oct. 23. He was 83 years old.

Born May 1, 1943 to the late Anthony C. and Marsilia V. (Formica) Marchese, Father Marchese was a Springfield native.  He attended the former Cathedral High School in Springfield. He earned an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington DC. He continued his studies receiving his S.T.B. from the Theological College at Catholic University of America, followed by a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Catholic University.

Ordained at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield on May 10, 1969, Father Marchese went on to serve in a number of parishes as the assistant pastor. These included: St. Joseph’s, Pittsfield; St. John’s, Millers Falls; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Springfield; St. Matthew’s, Indian Orchard; Holy Name, Springfield; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’ Springfield; St. Thomas, Huntington; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Westfield; and Sacred Heart, Holyoke. He also served as a part time faculty member at Cathedral High School.

In 1975 Father Marchese assumed a position in campus ministry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He then served for four years in campus ministry at the Newman Center at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In 1984 he moved on to Boston College in Chestnut Hill, first in campus ministry and also as a faculty member and director of the First Year Experience Program. He built the Office of First Year Experience (FYE) into a national leader in student orientation and formation. His tenure at Boston College spanned 34 years.

Father Marchese is survived by his two sisters Teresa Sergentanis and Christine Allison and her husband Robert, his two brothers, Anthony “Tony” and his wife, Monica, along with Paul and his wife, Carolyn. He leaves nieces and nephews: Michael Allan, Marissa Whitney, Mary Marchese, M.D., Sarah Marchese and Peter Marchese. He also leaves many great nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Anthony Sergentanis.

Calling hours will take place from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM, on Sat. Oct. 31 in St. Mary Church, 519 Longmeadow St. (Route 5), Longmeadow. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM.  He will be laid to rest in a private service at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield.\

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staff at Mary’s Meadow in Holyoke and to other caregivers in Boston for their kind and compassionate care.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: At St. Mary’s Church, the upper parking lot is available and handicapped accessible. Parking is also available in front of the church and on the side street, Hopkins Place.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Father Marchese’s memory to Elms College, Attn: Institutional Advancement, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee.

For those sending flowers, please do not send them to the church. Floral tributes must be sent to Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Floral tributes must arrive no later than Friday afternoon (October 30, 2026).