CALAIS – Donald D. Marchese, 68, passed away peacefully Friday, July 16, 2010, with his loving daughter by his side at Calais Regional Hospital. Don was born March 25, 1942, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Vincent and Gertrude (DeSalvo) Marchese. He graduated from New High Park Memorial High School in New York, and went on to graduate from American Academy of Funeral Service, becoming the youngest funeral director in the state of New York. Don enjoyed hunting in Anticosti, Quebec, and eventually relocated to Calais in 1969. He took great pride in serving as a funeral director for the Calais area. Don retired in 2004, but still maintained his employment with Mays Funeral Home until his time of passing. Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, and most recently his trip to Alaska with his nephew, Keith. He was predeceased by his father, Vincent Marchese; sister, Francine Gaglione; and his brother, Andrew Marchese. Surviving are his best friend and companion, Lila Tracy of Calais; two daughters, Kelly Tobey of San Diego and Ellen Damron and her husband, Rodney, of Kirkland, Wash.; son, John Marchese of Calais; his mother, Gertrude “Tina” Marchese of Woodbury, N.Y.; sister, Jo Anne Vetter and her husband, Bobby, of Plainview, N.Y.; five nephews, Michael Vetter and his wife, Melissa, of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Danny and Keith Vetter, both of Plainview, N.Y., John Marchese and his wife, Laura, of Ohio, and Andrew Marchese and his wife, Erica, of Florida; and two nieces, Theresa Benson and Annie Gaglione, both of Florida. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, Calais, by Father James Plourde. Burial will be after at Calais Cemetery. Donations in Don’s memory may be made to PAWS Humane Society, P.O. Box 182, Calais, ME 04619. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
DONALD D. MARCHESE
