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, Chigago 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, Margaret Miller Machesani, and two daughters, Margaret and Katherine. 

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

Service details will be added in the future.