In Memoriam: Rev. Joseph P. Marchese
Rev. Joseph P. Marchese, a dedicated Boston College administrator and Theology Department instructor who built the University’s Office of First Year Experience (FYE) into a national leader in student orientation and formation, died on October 23. He was 83.
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Rev. Joseph P. Marchese (Peter Julian)
Under his direction from 1995-2015, FYE assisted first-year students in their transition to collegiate life through integrated curricular and co-curricular programs and opportunities. Its programs include Summer Orientation, First Year Convocation, 48hours weekend retreats, Conversations in the First Year, and academic courses through Courage to Know and the Cornerstone Program.
The initiative evolved under “Fr. Joe”—as he was known to students and others on campus—to help first-year students acclimate to the University and its distinctive educational and formational mission, while also instilling in them the foundational elements to lead a good life.
“The goal of FYE has been to promote a culture of academic excellence, to instill in our students an intellectual precociousness, and to infuse incoming students and parents with a sense of our Jesuit, Catholic mission, which has a 500-year tradition in St. Ignatius,” said Fr. Marchese when he stepped down in 2015.
He was engaged with undergraduates throughout his 35 years on campus: a 2010 article in The Heights reported students’ desire for a coveted invitation to join Fr. Marchese for lunch in the Faculty Dining Room, where he would offer wisdom and encouragement: “Do your very best, and don’t settle for mediocrity,” he gave as an example of advice to students. “Live your life with love and generosity.”
Elizabeth (Biz) Bracher '91, M.A.'95, Ph.D.'03, who worked closely with Fr. Marchese as FYE associate director for two decades and now directs Cornerstone and Capstone Seminar Programs in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, described him as a visionary leader who left a lasting legacy as the architect of how Boston College helps students to transition to college and develop as men and women of competence and character.
“Fr. Marchese was devoted to BC students and to his colleagues,” said Bracher. “He taught me how to gather insightful and creative minds and how to follow imagination with organization and action, always encouraging me to lean into my ‘good gifts,’ as he called them, always helping me to become a better version of myself.
“Together, we shared nearly 20 years of orientation leaders, 48hours teams, and Courage to Know students and teaching assistants, so many of whom have been filling my inbox with heartfelt reflections on how important his mentoring has been to them, guiding each of them into creating a life well-lived.”
A resident of Boston, Fr. Marchese was born on May 1, 1943, in Springfield, Mass., to Anthony C. and Marsilia V. (Formica) Marchese. A 1961 graduate of Cathedral High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgetown University in 1965. He went on to receive a degree in sacred theology from the Theological College at Catholic University of America, followed by a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Catholic University.
Upon his 2019 etirement from the University, he told the Boston College Chronicle: “I’ll miss the people and teaching. I’ll miss the conversations with students, and learning from them. I love my colleagues, and the goodness of the people here.”
Fr. Marchese is survived by his sisters Teresa Sergentanis; Christine Allison and husband Robert; his brothers Anthony “Tony” and wife Monica; Paul and 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.
Visting hours will be held on Saturday, October 31. from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., in St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow St. (Route 5), Longmeadow, Mass. A Concelebrated Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m.
Fr. Marchese will be laid to rest in a private service at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield, Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Fr. Marchese’s memory to Elms College, Attn: Institutional Advancement, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee, Mass, 01013.