Joseph A. Marchesani passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family, on Sunday, July 5th, 2026. 

Joseph was born on July 11, 1947 in Newark, New Jersey to Patrick M. and Katherine Guarino Marchesani.

After attending the public and parochial schools of Newark, he went to Georgetown University as a National Merit Finalist, majoring in economics and government. He then joined the Urban Teacher Corps, teaching and coaching at a high school in the Anacostia section of Washington, DC. After earning an M.A., he and his wife moved to Ohio, where he earned a J.D, then clerked for an appellate court judge.

During more than 40 years in Minnesota, he worked in a financial services corporation and was an adjunct faculty member at several universities, including the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, St. Mary's University, Loyola University, Chicago, and William Mitchell. He was also an editorial reviewer at the Mayo Foundation. He served on several boards, including Common Cause - Minnesota and the Family Tree Clinic in St. Paul.

In 2000, he was one of a small group hired to establish a campus of the University of Minnesota in Rochester. During 13 years at the University of Minnesota - Rochester, he held a number of teaching and administrative positions. In retirement, his volunteer activities included member and chair of the Olmsted County Environmental Commission, and tutor (at the Hawthorne Center) of immigrants studying for the citizenship examination. He and his wife sponsored scholarships at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Rochester.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy Miller Marchesani, and two daughters, Margaret and Katherine.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on September 26, 2026 at the the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home with a reception to follow.  A visitation will be held one our prior to the service.  Burial of his ashes will be at a later date. Donations may be made, in memory of Joseph, to the University of Minnesota, Rochester for future scholarships.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Minnesota - Rochester.