Peter Louis Marchese, 89, of Guilford died peacefully on Feb. 12. His last days were spent in his home that he cherished with his family by his side.
Peter was born on William Street in Middletown, and was the first in his family to earn a high school diploma. He always recounted his early days as happy and full of memories as an altar boy at Saint Sebastian’s church, captain of the rifle team, working as a soda jerk at Pelton’s Drug Store, and most of all, his birth home full of extended family. He would often joke that he never had his own bed until he joined the U.S. Army in 1948.
His military life placed him on a great journey, the first few years of which included Japan, Texas, Michigan, and Oklahoma. Then, in 1959, Pete was assigned to Fort Tilden, New York. It was there that he took a pottery class on base, just so he could get to know the special services crafts director, Dodie, who later became his wife of 55 years. This chapter was full of good times in Greenwich Village with folk music, coffee shops, and nights at the White Horse Tavern. A few years later, they were reassigned to Alaska and then San Francisco, where their children Lucia and Luigi Marchese were born. From there, the newly formed family went to Crete, then Germany, and then back to the States, finally putting down roots in Guilford. In total, Pete served 30 years in the U.S. military, retiring as chief warrant officer 4 (CWO4).
Pete then completed his BS and master’s at Central Connecticut State University and soon started his second career teaching drafting and electronics at Lyme-Old Lyme High School for more than 20 years. His students and colleagues gave him the nickname “Chief.” He also taught astronomy, allowing him to share his passion for the stars and galaxy.
Pete and Dodie embraced their town and community, forming a local Italian language group called Il Gruppo. They entertained frequently and Pete loved to show off his talents with special dishes like caponata, giuggiulena, and his baccala soup. He would regale his guests with stories and songs played on his player piano, which he, himself, restored from a sad state of disrepair. He would pump the piano, playing songs like “Yes! We Have No Bananas” and many more. Pete and Dodie also relished their ability to travel, taking Italian language classes in Belforte, visiting his family’s home village of Mellili, Sicily, watching Flamenco in Sevilla, walking the streets of Paris, and visiting their former post in Kaiserslautern. He embraced all cultures, loved to learn the history, to explore the winding streets, and to taste the flavors of adventure.
He will be treasured and missed by his wife, Dodie Marchese; children Lucia and Luigi Marchese; brother Salvatore Marchese; dear cousin Maria Eiler (Don); brother-in-law Giuseppe “Skippy” DiBiase (Donna Willis); his nieces Rosanna Ferrera, Gioia DiBiase, and Gemina McCarville (Thomas); and a large extended family. He was fortunate to have so many good friends far and near that will also remember him fondly. He is predeceased by his parents Lucy and Louis Marchese, his sister-in-law Joyce DiBiase, and great-nephew Patrick McCarville.
A service will be held at Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Rd., Madison, on Sunday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m. The service will be immediately followed by a reception; food, drink, and music will be flowing in a celebration of his beautiful life. If you close your eyes, you will be able to imagine him rowing up the shoreline in his dory that he built himself some years ago.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Peter Marchese to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Connecticut Hospice, and the Disabled American Veterans. Arrangements in the care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.
