John Marchi

John Joseph Marchi (born Giovanni Marchi; May 20, 1921 – April 25, 2009) was an American Republican Party politician and attorney from Staten Island, New York. Marchi served in the New York State Senate from 1957 to 2006, making him the longest-serving state legislator in New York history. He was also the Republican nominee for Mayor of New York City in 1969 and 1973.

Early life, education, and military service Giovanni Marchi was born in 1921 to parents who had immigrated to the U.S. from Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. 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.

Senate leadership positions Chairman of the Joint Liquor Laws Committee Chairman of the Senate Commerce and Navigation Committee Chairman of the Joint New York City Docks Committee Chairman of the Joint Alcoholic Beverage Control Law Committee Chairman of the Senate Constitutional Affairs Subcommittee Chairman of the Senate City of New York Committee Chairman of the Joint Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Chairman of the Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee Vice President Pro Tempore of the Senate Chairman of the Temporary State Commission on New York City School Governance Chairman of the New York State Charter Commission for Staten Island Chairman of the Staten Island Charter Commission Deputy Majority Leader for Intergovernmental Relations Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee Assistant Majority Whip Assistant Majority Leader for Conference Operations Chairman of the Senate Task Force on World Trade Center Recovery

Personal life In 1948, Marchi married Maria Luisa Davini, an Italian immigrant also from Lucca; they had two daughters.

Marchi died from pneumonia on April 25, 2009, while vacationing in Lucca with his wife and other family members.

John Marchi Hall was named in his honor on campus of the College of Staten Island in 2006. Also known as Building 2N, John Marchi Hall is located on the north side of the campus.

A collection of Marchi's legislative and personal files is available at the College of Staten Island Archives and Special Collections.