Darien Mayor's Son Dies At 45

DARIEN, IL – Darien Mayor Joseph Marchese wasn't at Monday's City Council meeting because his son's funeral was earlier in the day.

Jon Marchese, 45, died Oct. 29.

At the meeting, Alderman Joe Kenny, who was presiding in the mayor's place, said the mayor's son had been battling cancer. Kenny called for a moment of silence.

Jon Marchese's obituary said he held an "unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of others, especially children with special needs."

The younger Marchese was a fan of the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears and the LSU Tigers, his obituary said. He was also a Disney enthusiast, having worked at the company through a college program. He played characters such as Goofy.

His wife was Lynda Marchese, his parents were Joseph and Cathy Marchese, and his brothers were Jeff and Jameson Marchese.