Don Patrick Marchese

Don was born on November 15, 1942 in Atlanta, GA and lived most of his life in Poughkeepsie, NY. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1960. He graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1964 and Masters of Education in 1965. While at Duke, he was a member of the football team and the Phi Psi fraternity. Following college, he was a teacher at Enloe High School in Raleigh, NC then spent his career working for IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Don was a lover of history, nature, woodwork, and antiques. He loved being with people and imparting his vast knowledge. Don was a passionate reader, avid gardener and outdoorsman. An expert on Eleanor Roosevelt, he worked as the Program Director at Val Kill for one and a half years while on sabbatical from IBM. He loved sharing the story about dancing with Eleanor Roosevelt. Don was a collector of all good things including friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Marchese in 1979 and brother, Michael Anthony “Mick” Marchese in 2000.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 20 years, Mary Marchese of Holly Springs, NC; daughters, Kersten Fitzgerald and husband, Frank, of Moncure, NC and Beth Page Norman and husband, Adrian, of Southport, CT; grandchildren, Owen Fitzgerald and Chapman Fitzgerald of Moncure, NC, and Coco Norman of Southport, CT; his mother, Helen Marchese of Raleigh, NC; sister-in-law, Sandy Olson Marchese; and nephews, Bob Marchese and Luke Marchese.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Condolences may be made through: www.brownwynnecary.com