Page created by: Lucia Marchese

Peter Louis Marchese, 89, of Guilford died peacefully on February 12, 2018. 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, CT 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 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 near Rockaway. 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 folk music, coffee shops, ski trips to Vermont, nights at the White Horse Saloon, and guitar lessons in Sheepshead Bay. However, soon enough he was reassigned and they embarked on a cross country trip to Alaska. A few years later, they moved on to 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, CT. In total, Pete served 30 years in the Military, retiring as Chief Warren Officer 4 (CWO4).

Pete then started attending Central Connecticut State University where he graduated with a BS in Education and later completed his Masters and 6th year. He went on to teach drafting and electronics at Old Lyme High School for over 20 years. His students and colleagues gave him the nickname "Chief". During this time, he was also given the opportunity to teach astronomy, allowing him to share his passion for the stars and galaxy - he loved these nights with his students.

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 bacala 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. The house was often filled with music by his favorite artists: Carlo Butti, Rosanna Fratello, Andrea Bocelli, Mahalia Jackson, Placido Domingo and many others. 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) and his nieces Rosanna Ferrera, Gioia DiBiase, and Gemina McCarville (Thomas) in addition to 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 & 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 Road, Madison, CT on Sunday March 18th at 11:00 AM. 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 boat, the Honky Dory, that he built himself some years ago.

Sadly, he struggled with Parkinson's disease. If his life and spirit can be lent to researching this horrible disease, it would help ease the pain of his suffering and hopefully prevent others from experiencing what he had to go through. Anyone who watched it would say that it was brutal.