Richard Marchese

Richard C. Marchese

August 12, 1945 - June 1, 2018

On June 1, 2018, Richard Marchese, 72, passed away at his home in San Pedro, New Mexico, with his wife Francis at his side. His strong faith in God guided him throughout his life. During his lifetime Richard served God through his service to others. Richard began his service to God as an altar boy in Nutley, New Jersey at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. He served as Minister of the word, Eucharistic Minister, and Eucharistic Minister to shut ins throughout many areas of the United states. In October of 1989 Richard made his Cursillo at the Strich Awareness center in Memphis, Tennessee. He then went on to be a participant in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement in 1990 while living in Hickory Hills, Illinois. From there Richard served as a group organizer with Christ Renews His Parish, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Yakima, Washington, 1994-1995.  After graduating from Nutley High in Nutley, New Jersey, class of 1963, he worked for a period of time in New Jersey before heading west to attend Saint Martin’s College in Lacey, Washington where he graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He then went on to work for the National Forest service clearing trails on the Cascade Ridge Trail, work as an insurance agent open a drop in center for troubled youth, and finally return to college to obtain a Masters’ Degree in Mental Health at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington. After graduating in 1977 Richard moved to Spokane, Washington, where he started his consulting and proposal writing business, Resource Development Services.  Richard was a ham radio enthusiast since age 12, N9FGD, and a member of the American Radio Relay League. In the late 80s he served as a Mersey message relay for those stricken by South American earthquakes. He also enjoyed the fellowship of other “hams” in the Santa Fe Amateur Radio Club. Richard served again as a Mersey message relay during the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. He was an avid gardener and a budding orchardist. Richard provided a loving home to a menagerie of furry and feathered friends. Richard also enjoyed the fellowship of the New Mexico Men’s Wellness community and had the opportunity to make two retreats at ghost ranch, New Mexico. Richard worked in the higher education and non-profit sectors for 40 years. He skillfully wrote more than 600 grant proposals, raised millions in funds, and guided the implementation of high-impact programs. Richard was a Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) staff member, part-time instructor, and grant-writing consultant since 1996. Most recently, he assisted in raising funds for the First Born® Home Visiting Program for first-time parents, a new initiative of SFCC’s Early Childhood Center of Excellence. He was a mentor and a teacher, and his legacy lives on through his positive influence on students and colleagues. His was proceeded in death by his parents, Lena Hemmerlin and Theodore Joseph Marchese, his brother, Peter Marchese and niece Amanda Rose Chazen. He is deeply missed by his wife Francis Kenworthy Marchese, his son Ashton Michel Haldain(Sean), his brother Ted Marchese (Teresa), his sisters Louise (Jerry) Purdy, Mary Ellen (Marty) Chazen, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. The following services will be held to celebrate his life and mourn his passing, public visitation will begin on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, 623 N Railroad Ave, Española, NM 87532. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 908 Calle Rosario, Española NM 87532 with a burial to follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santa Fe Community College Foundation on behalf of the First Born® Program. Checks can be mailed to SFCC Foundation at 6401 Richards Ave Santa Fe, NM 87508 or give online at www.sfcc.edu/give-now/ For more information, contact Kelly Smith at kelly.smith@sfcc.edu. The family of Richard C. Marchese has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com

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