Arthur James Marchese of Freeville, NY passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2024 at age 71 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.
Art was born November 7, 1952 in Queens, NY and was predeceased by his parents Arthur Joseph and Marion (McCarthy) Marchese, brother Richard Marchese, godparents Frances and Anthony Fortunato, brother-in-law Joseph Likowski, and parents-in-law George and Marcella Borzik.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Rosalie (Rose) Borzik and two sisters and their husbands: Maureen and Chad Price (Simpsonville, SC) and Susan and James Zegel (Millville, NJ). Surviving in-laws are: Lee Ann and Carl Hoffner and Joyce and Edward Krolikowski (Lebanon, PA); Joette Borzik and Richard Parker (VA); Ruth Likowski (West Wyoming, PA); also, seven nieces; two nephews; two great-nieces; two great-nephews, a myriad of close friends, and rescue cats Jelly and Jingles.
A member of the Tompkins County Magistrates Association, Art served as The Honorable Arthur Marchese, Freeville Village Justice for 34 years. In appreciation for his service, the Village plans to install a memorial bench on the Freeville Trail overlooking the marshes where he especially enjoyed watching Wood Ducks.
Art grew up in Farmingdale, NY, graduating from Holy Trinity High School, Hicksville in 1970, and in 1974 from SUNY Cortland (American History major). Post-college, he was a Bond Ledger Clerk for Chase Manhattan Bank in NYC and an Assistant Bond Trader in Nashville, TN. Returning to the Ithaca-Cortland area in 1978, he taught pre-school in Preble and was a substitute teacher at the Ithaca City Schools before beginning a 16-year career as a major appliance salesperson at Montgomery Ward in Ithaca, and later sold insurance.
His American History college major laid the groundwork for Art’s retirement- years career—buying and selling antiques, collectible items, and vinyl records. He was a long-time dealer at Found in Ithaca, Owego Elks Emporium, the former Ithaca Antique Mall, and the East Expo show in Bouckville, NY.
During the time Rose was employed with National Audubon Society’s Seabird Institute, Art served as a part-time office and logistics assistant for the program. He looked forward to visiting Rose in Maine during the summer seabird field season and especially enjoyed assisting the Audubon cruise naturalist with merchandise sales to support the cause. While on birding adventures with Rose, he developed and honed his appreciation of birds and nature and was a New York and federally-licensed raptor rehabilitation assistant working for many years with Rose to care for a variety of hawks, owls, and vultures.
Art cherished his family and in-laws, and treasured his friends from Long Island (including those who moved south without him), neighbors, golf partners,“senior” card players, fellow resellers and resale store employees, and those he knew through court. Though a fan of most sports, his passion was golf and he endured New York winters by looking forward to golfing with friends in the summer league competitions at Willowbrook, Elm Tree and Cornell University golf clubs. He was always proud to say he caddied at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park, but kind enough to let Rose win at miniature golf.
There are no services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to any of the following: Tompkins County SPCA (spcaonline.com); Cortland SPCA (cortlandspca.org); Audubon Seabird Institute (projectpuffin.audubon.org); Owego Elks Lodge 1039 (attn: Roof Fund; PO Box 6, Owego NY 13827); W.B. Strong Fire Company (freevillefd.com).