John J. Marchi

American politician (1921–2009)

John Joseph Marchi (May 20, 1921 – April 25, 2009) was an American attorney and jurist who represented Staten Island in the New York State Senate for 50 years. Marchi (pronounced MAR key), a Republican, retired on December 31, 2006, from the seat that he had held since January 1, 1957. He was the Republican nominee for Mayor of New York City in 1969 and 1973.

He attended parochial schools on Staten Island before graduating with honors from Manhattan College in 1942. Marchi subsequently earned a J. D. from St. John's University School of Law in 1950 and a J. S. D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1953. In World War II, he served with the Coast Guard on antisubmarine duty in the Atlantic and with the Navy in the Okinawa campaign in the Pacific. Marchi also served as a Commander in the Active Reserve after the war, retiring from the service in 1982. Marchi died on April 25, 2009, due to complications of pneumonia, while vacationing in Lucca, Italy, with his wife and other family members. Previously, he ran unsuccessfully as the Republican nominee for Borough President of Staten Island in 1961. Marchi worked to improve public education in the 1980s and was appointed as Chairman of the Temporary State Commission on New York City School Governance in 1989. This commission conducted a two year study on the control and governance in New York City schools and provided recommendations to the New York State Legislature on improving administration and public participation in the school system. Senator Marchi also provided assistance to the College of Staten Island so that the school could obtain the land of the former Willowbrook State School for a campus. Marchi was a member of the executive committee and the Board of Governors of the Council of State Governments. He was appointed by U. S. President Richard M. Nixon to the National Advisory Committee on Drug Abuse Prevention.

A new Staten Island Ferry boat was named in Marchi's honor in 2006. John Marchi Hall was named in his honor on campus of the College of Staten Island in 2006. The building is located in the "north" side of campus; building 2N. A collection of Marchi's legislative and personal files are available at the College of Staten Island Archives and Special Collections.