Thomas Marchese

Herkimer - Mr. Thomas (Tom) Marchese, age 84, of Herkimer, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, January 29, 2025.

Tom was born on July 25, 1940, in San Giuseppe Jato, in the province of Palermo, Sicily, to the late Giuseppe and Providenza (Tomassino) Marchese. At the age of 13, he immigrated to the United States with his father and sister, Josephine. They were later joined by his mother, his sister Pietrina, and his brother Alfonso. The family settled in Little Falls, New York. As a young man, he attended school in Sicily and continued his education in Little Falls.

At one time, he worked at Allegro Shoe in Little Falls, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Cushman. On April 28, 1962, they were united in marriage, sharing a beautiful bond for 62 years. Tom later joined Remington Arms in Ilion, where he worked diligently for many years, until his retirement.

A parishioner of Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church in Herkimer, Tom had a deep faith in God. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing soccer, a competitive game of poker, and trips to Turning Stone Casino. He and Kathleen loved traveling to Las Vegas to see shows, but no place meant more to Tom than home. He took great pride in his garden, especially his beloved fig trees, always eager to share their fruit with family and friends.

Above all, family was everything to Tom. He lovingly cared for his brother Alfonso for many years and was deeply devoted to his wife, Kathleen. Proud of his Italian heritage, he cherished passing down traditions to his children and grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was preparing cuccidati (fig cookies), eagerly waiting to taste the first one, once his wife and daughters had finished baking. His favorite holiday was Christmas Eve, when the family gathered for the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He experienced profound sorrow with the sudden loss of his son, Joseph on March 1, 2024. Yet, even as Alzheimer's took hold, his special bond with his granddaughter Ariana remained unbreakable. His biggest smiles came from visits with his great-grandchildren, especially Hunter and Mila Rose.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen; his daughters, Anne and her husband Frank Mirabile, Rosemarie Reid, and Tammy Marchese; his son-in-law, Ralph Reid, and daughter-in-law, Teresa Marchese; his cherished grandchildren, Thomas Reid and his wife Jennifer, James Reid, Andrew Reid, Sarah Raj and her fiancé Bryan; Nicole Marchese, Thomas Marchese and his wife Jamie, Joseph Marchese, David Marchese; Vincent Iocovozzi and his wife Gianna, Matthew Iocovozzi; and Ariana Marchese; and his adored great-grandchildren Hunter; Daphne, Atlas; Kaiden, Jace, Parker, Braylee; Oliver, Ezra; and Mila Rose. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Stanley Biasini; sisters-in-law, Angela Dunning, Patricia Lawrence, Marion White, Anne Schell and her husband Fred, and JoAnne Burrill and her husband Al; as well as many godchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tom was predeceased by his beloved son, Joseph; his brother, Alfonso; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Pietrina and Giuseppe LoRe, and Josephine and John LaSorsa, his sister-in-law, Rose Biasini, and brothers-in-law, Francis Dunning, Glenn Lawrence, and Bernie White.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Monday, February 3, 2025, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego Street, Ilion. A Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will follow at 10:30 AM at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, 412 S. Frankfort Street, with Father Paul Catena, officiating. Interment will take place in the spring.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, under the care of his grandson, Vincent G. Iocovozzi.

To leave condolences for Tom's family, please visit www.whiter-hendrix.com