Deacon Henry A. Mariani, of Medford, died Saturday in the Melrose/Wakefield Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 78.
Deacon Henry was a life-long Medford resident. A graduate of Medford High School, Henry went on to receive his bachelor degree at Boston College. He later earned his Masters and Doctorate in Biochemistry from Boston College.
Henry’s first teaching position was at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH. He later was an Assistant Professor at Merrimack College.
Henry then became head of the Science Department in the Medford public school system in 1960.The next year he returned to college teaching at Boston State where he became a full professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department. After the school’s close, he was elected Chair of the Chemistry Department at U. Mass., Boston. He taught there until his retirement in 1997.
A U. S. Navy veteran of World War II, Henry served in the Navy Reserve for 22 years as an intelligence officer, reaching the rank of Commander.
Active in civic affairs, Henry was elected for two terms to the Medford School Committee.
Henry was dedicated to the service of his parish and Church. He held many positions at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Henry was a Third Order Franciscan and was ordained to the Deaconate in 1992. He served as a deacon at his home parish.
He is survived by his sister Adeline McGrath of Cohasset and her husband Thomas McGrath.Henry also leaves many loving cousins and friends.
Friends may visit Monday from 4 thru 8 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fellsway West,Medford. His funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Francis Of Assisi Church, Fellsway West, Medford, Tuesday at 9 am.
Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.