Giuseppe Marchese

Marchese was born in Scaletta Zanclea, Messina, Sicily on 29 November 1928. His father died when he was young, precipitating the family into poverty, and (as the oldest of three brothers) forcing Marchese early to work. His mother was a fervent believer belonging to the pentecostal church in Scaletta Superiore, overseen by Francesco Rando. At the age of 20, Marchese responded to her constant testimony and was converted. Shortly afterwards he was baptised at Villafranca Tirrena, and also baptized in the Holy Spirit.

He immediately began to collaborate in preaching. He was remembered as an authentic and believer, very simple, always generous and respectful with people. In 1 January 1956 he married Santina Freni, together with whom he would have 7 children. In 1962 he was made pastor of church of Scaletta Zanclea, in a service featuring Carmelo Crisafulli (Messina) and Giuseppe Galletta. He would serve in that role until 2000.

In addition to pastoral care, he worked as a truck and crane driver, jobs which required him to go on long and sometimes risky jobs. In all things he responded with prayer, integrity, and generosity. On receipt of negative medical opinion which indicated a mortal outcome, he later said: "I prayed to the Lord" and received healing. His pockets, his trucks, were full of pocket gospels and evangelistic leaflets, which he would distribute wherever he went.

'In the last years of his life, despite the difficulty in moving or speaking, he was heard praying, albeit with great breathlessness, and always singing a hymn that says: "It is the holy truth of the Gospel that gives man new mind and new heart”.' (De Luca)

As his health declined, he was moved to more intense care at the Istituto Evangelico Betesda at Giarre near Catania. Shortly afterwards, isolated by the outbreak of COVID 19, he died on 24 March.

Sources

De Luca, Francesco, 'Giuseppe Marchese, 1928-2020', Obituaries, Risveglio Pentecostale, https://www.assembleedidio.org/risvegliopentecostale/promossi-alla-gloria/giuseppe-marchese/