Rev. Edward T. Marchessault. C.S.Sp.

Reverend Edward T. Marchessault, C.S.Sp.

Date of Birth: April 23, 1938

Date of Profession: August 22, 1959

Date of Ordination: June 3, 1964

Date of Death: January 26, 2026

Father Edward (Ned) T. Marchessault, C.S.Sp. of Bethel Park, PA, a member of the Congregation

of the Holy Spirit, died peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Peter’s Township Acute

Care. He was 87 years of age.

Father Ned was born April 23, 1938 in Detroit, MI. He professed his vows as a member of the

Congregation of the Holy Spirit on August 22, 1959 at Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ridgefield, CT and

was ordained to the Priesthood on June 3, 1964 at St. Mary’s Seminary, Ferndale in Norwalk,

CT.

Father Ned’s first assignment was to the District of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, in 1965. He

ministered principally to the Maasai people, serving in the Loliondo Catholic Mission (1966-

1970), Kijungu Mission (1970-1975), Endulen Catholic Mission (1986-2012) and Olbalbal Mission

(2012-2020). From 1975-1984 he was assigned to Ethiopia where he ministered to the Borana

people. He chronicled much of time in Tanzania in his blog. Father Ned retired initially to Casa

Laval in Hemet, CA in 2020 but returned to Tanzania in 2022 to be with his beloved Maasai

people once more. He retired definitively to Libermann Hall, Bethel Park, PA, in May 2023.

Overall, Father Ned spent 57 years in Africa in the ministry of first evangelization and he left a

lasting legacy, particularly among the Maasai people, by whom he was greatly loved and

respected.

Father Ned was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Joseph and Wynona Kathryn

Marchessault and his brother David Marchessault. He is survived by his brother Gregg

Marchessault (wife Rhonda), sisters Sally McAward and Martha Stovall (husband Ronald) and

sister-in-law Sharon Marchessault, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

There will be viewing in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at the Spiritan Center, 6230

Brush Run Road, Bethel Park on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 9:00am – 10:30am followed

immediately by the Mass of Resurrection. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery,

Sharpsburg, PA.

In memory of Father Marchessault, donations may be made to the Congregation of the Holy

Spirit, 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102 designated for retirement or for the

education of future Holy Spirit Fathers and Brothers.

The funeral Mass will be live streamed at:

https://www.facebook.com/share/16qfh4fMgY/