Russell L. Marchese Sr., 79, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away peacefully on August 8, 2013. He was a loving husband of 56 years to Antonia Marchese and a devoted father.
Born in Batavia, NY on March 2, 1934, to the late Joseph R. and Carrie Marchese Sr., Russ owned and operated Marchese National Food Stores in the Batavia community for many years.
He is survived by sons Russell L. Marchese Jr. (Diane Marchese), of Batavia, NY, and Matthew J. Marchese (Melody Marchese), of Williamsville, NY, as well as daughters Marianne L. Jensen (Billy Jensen), of Herndon, Va., Kathleen A. Dermody of Bergen, NY, Joan M. Marchese (David Foster), of Bolton, Mass., Lisa K. Marchese (Karen Evans) of Albuquerque, NM, and Jennifer L. Crockett (Timothy Crockett), of Grand Island, NY.
He will be missed by his 14 grandchildren: William Marchese and his spouse, Jessi Marchese; Sarah, Joanna and Rebecca Jensen; Kristina Marchese and her fiancé, Greg Thurber; Katelyn and Shannon Dermody; Owen and Henry Foster; Louis and Carmela Marchese; Zoe and Sasha Evans; Evan Crockett; and 2 great-grandchildren, Ronan and Elliot Marchese.
In addition, Russ is survived by a brother, Robert Marchese (Judith) of New Port Richie, Fla., and 2 sisters, Carolyn McGorray (Thomas McGorray) of Tucson, Ariz., and Dorothy Marchese of Batavia, NY, a brother-in-law, Louis Marazza (Marian) of Erie, Pa., and a sister-in-law, Arlene Gavazzi of Corry, Pa., as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Russ was predeceased by sisters, Rose Nigro and Florence Joy and brother, Joseph R. Marchese Jr.
While living in Batavia, Russ served the community for many years as a member of the Sertoma Club. When he retired to Florida he became an active member of the Sawdust Engineers in Sun City Center, Fla., to which he was elected President and served as a member of the board. He also sat on the Cypress View Community Board of Property Owners Association. He volunteered as a driver for Samaritan Services of Sun City Center and the Sun City Center Security Patrol.
A memorial mass will be celebrated on August 24, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sun City Center, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Life Path Hospice, 3723 Upper Creek Drive Ruskin, FL 33573.
