The former president of Erie Community College has died. William Mariani, currently serving as executive vice president at D'Youville College, died unexpectedly Sunday.
A posting on D'Youville's website says he died at Gates Vascular Institute following a brief illness. Mariani served as ECC president from 1997 to 2006.
WBFO News spoke with D'Youville College president Dr. Lorrie Clemo. She explained the learned Mariani was ill over the weekend.
“I learned yesterday from Bill’s wife, Marcia that Bill had been taken into the hospital Saturday afternoon. “He had collapsed at the golf course and was undergoing some testing related to his heart. There had been some arrhythmias in his heart. Later that afternoon, he had gone into additional arrhythmia and he was unresponsive. They were unable to bring him back from the arrhythmia,” Clemo explained.
Mariani joined D'Youville in 2007 as an associate profess of business. He was promoted at the college to vice president in 2009. Then served as interim president when Sister Denise Roche retired and served until this past January when Dr. Lorrie Clemo was named president.
Dr. Clemo had only worked with Mariani for almost nine months since her appointment to the college, but noted she developed a quick friendship with him. She said he had been a source of "inspiration" to her as she became acclimated with the college.
"He was larger than life. He loved everybody. He drew people to him. He was incredibly approachable and friendly and always wanting people to succeed on an individual level. Always wanting the college to be successful," Dr. Clemo recalled. "He just really loved the community, loved people and loved family. What an honor to be able to work with him."
The D'Youville College Community has extended their deepest sympathies to his wife Marcia and family.
The ECC family is also mourning the loss of Mariani.
“Dr. Mariani was a tremendous leader for this college, and a very hard act to follow,” said current ECC President Jack Quinn, who became the college’s next full-time president following Mariani’s departure. “He was a tireless advocate for our entire college community and the enormity of its mission. And personally, I’ll miss him as both a colleague and a friend. He will be missed by our entire ECC family, and we extend our sincerest condolences to his wife, Marcia, and the entire Mariani family.”
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz also saddened to learn of Mariani's death.
“I was shocked and saddened to hear the news about the sudden passing of former ECC President Bill Mariani,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “It’s with a heavy heart that I extend condolences to the Mariani family and to the greater Erie Community College family as well. Bill will be warmly remembered and greatly missed.”
Dr. Mariani is survived by his wife, Marcia, and his children, Dr. Mara Mariani and William Mariani II, Esq., his mother, Elisabeth, and his sister, Deborah (Anthony) Palumbo.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
The following statement was issued on the D'Youville website by President Clemo:
D’Youville Community Mourns Passing of Dr. William Mariani
A Message from Dr. Lorrie Clemo, President, D’Youville College
Buffalo, New York – June 26, 2017 – I am deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Executive Vice President Bill Mariani. Bill died Sunday at Gates Vascular Institute following a brief illness. He was 67.
It is a significant loss for the D’Youville Community and for higher education across the region and state. Bill was an insightful and visionary leader who was highly approachable. During his interim presidency here at D’Youville and throughout my transition, he focused on strengthening and growing the College. He sought out talented people equally eager to tackle the challenges of a dynamic higher education environment.
I will miss him enormously not only for his advice and gentle manner, but also his friendship and support. He was a great colleague. On behalf of the D’Youville College community, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marcia and the Mariani family.
Bill served as president of Erie Community College from 1997 to 2006. He joined us at D’Youville in 2007 as an associate professor of business; in 2009, he was promoted to vice president.
On July 1, 2016, Bill became D’Youville’s interim president, succeeding Sister Denise Roche, GNSH.
At the time of his appointment, Bill said, ““I have so much regard for Sister Denise’s legacy and what she has achieved over her tenure. It is an honor to have been offered the opportunity to help ensure her legacy continues, which embodies the mission and history of this extraordinary learning institution.”
Sister Denise remembers Bill fondly. "Bill was a person with many talents and lengthy experience in higher education and issues facing it. However we all knew Bill as a mentor, a guide, an encourager, and a support in times of trouble or confusion. Anyone who knew Bill realized that his family was always first for him, that he was a faithful and loyal friend, and that he enjoyed life with an exuberance and zest that drew each of us into his enthusiasm. He shared his values and his wonderful humor readily with others and was a man who lifted spirits and made people smile and be better wherever he went. His spirit and positive attitude will be missed by many."
In January, he transitioned from interim president to executive vice president, Administrative Affairs.
As executive vice president, Bill was charged with spearheading the College’s expansion into online learning and other new venture opportunities locally and nationally. A role that suited him well, given his vast network of professional and personal connections throughout the region.
"I am very saddened by the sudden passing of Bill Mariani,” said C.J. Urlaub, chair of D’Youville’s Board of Trustees. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the D’Youville community. Bill stepped in to a difficult role with the retirement of Sister Denise. He was instrumental in advancing many improvements in the short time he was in the interim role. His contributions were essential in supporting and leading the College and he was a stabilizing force for the College. I feel a personal deep sense of loss with his passing, and this is an enormous loss for his family, D’Youville, and our community."
Among his professional affiliations and community service activities: New York State Association of Community College Presidents; Erie County Workforce Investment Board; Western New York Higher Education Consortium; New York State Department of Economic Development Strategic Training; St. Francis High School Board of Trustees; United Way Regional Campaign co-chair (2002); Holiday Valley Ski Patrol; BOCES I Planning Board; Lackawanna Bicentennial Committee, and past president of the Rotary Club of Hamburg.
During a career in academia, Bill served as a professor in our Department of Business and in ECC’s School of Management. He was the founding dean of the Division of Development & Community Services at ECC, presented at numerous conferences, and consulted on a variety of projects.
His private sector experience including time at AM International Consultants, Inc., and Bell & Howell, as well as his own consulting business.
Dr. Mariani earned his EdD at D’Youville, a bachelors’ of Business Administration and Master of Science, Educational Administration and Supervision from St. Bonaventure University. He was a graduate of St. Francis High School of Athol Springs.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed his family and friends.
Please remember Bill in your prayers, along with his wife, Marcia, and his children, Dr. Mara Mariani and William Mariani II, Esq., his mother, Elisabeth, and his sister, Deborah (Anthony Palumbo).
May God grant Bill eternal rest.
This morning’s (Monday, June 26) 11:30 AM Mass in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, third floor of the Koessler Administration building, will be celebrated in Bill’s memory. All are welcome.
Arrangements will be announced at a later date.
D’Youville Community Mourns Passing of Dr. William Mariani
A Message from Dr. Lorrie Clemo, President, D’Youville College
Buffalo, New York – June 26, 2017 – I am deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Executive Vice President Bill Mariani. Bill died Sunday at Gates Vascular Institute following a brief illness. He was 67.
It is a significant loss for the D’Youville Community and for higher education across the region and state. Bill was an insightful and visionary leader who was highly approachable. During his interim presidency here at D’Youville and throughout my transition, he focused on strengthening and growing the College. He sought out talented people equally eager to tackle the challenges of a dynamic higher education environment.
I will miss him enormously not only for his advice and gentle manner, but also his friendship and support. He was a great colleague. On behalf of the D’Youville College community, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marcia and the Mariani family.
Bill served as president of Erie Community College from 1997 to 2006. He joined us at D’Youville in 2007 as an associate professor of business; in 2009, he was promoted to vice president.
On July 1, 2016, Bill became D’Youville’s interim president, succeeding Sister Denise Roche, GNSH.
At the time of his appointment, Bill said, ““I have so much regard for Sister Denise’s legacy and what she has achieved over her tenure. It is an honor to have been offered the opportunity to help ensure her legacy continues, which embodies the mission and history of this extraordinary learning institution.”
Sister Denise remembers Bill fondly. "Bill was a person with many talents and lengthy experience in higher education and issues facing it. However we all knew Bill as a mentor, a guide, an encourager, and a support in times of trouble or confusion. Anyone who knew Bill realized that his family was always first for him, that he was a faithful and loyal friend, and that he enjoyed life with an exuberance and zest that drew each of us into his enthusiasm. He shared his values and his wonderful humor readily with others and was a man who lifted spirits and made people smile and be better wherever he went. His spirit and positive attitude will be missed by many."
In January, he transitioned from interim president to executive vice president, Administrative Affairs.
As executive vice president, Bill was charged with spearheading the College’s expansion into online learning and other new venture opportunities locally and nationally. A role that suited him well, given his vast network of professional and personal connections throughout the region.
"I am very saddened by the sudden passing of Bill Mariani,” said C.J. Urlaub, chair of D’Youville’s Board of Trustees. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the D’Youville community. Bill stepped in to a difficult role with the retirement of Sister Denise. He was instrumental in advancing many improvements in the short time he was in the interim role. His contributions were essential in supporting and leading the College and he was a stabilizing force for the College. I feel a personal deep sense of loss with his passing, and this is an enormous loss for his family, D’Youville, and our community."
Among his professional affiliations and community service activities: New York State Association of Community College Presidents; Erie County Workforce Investment Board; Western New York Higher Education Consortium; New York State Department of Economic Development Strategic Training; St. Francis High School Board of Trustees; United Way Regional Campaign co-chair (2002); Holiday Valley Ski Patrol; BOCES I Planning Board; Lackawanna Bicentennial Committee, and past president of the Rotary Club of Hamburg.
During a career in academia, Bill served as a professor in our Department of Business and in ECC’s School of Management. He was the founding dean of the Division of Development & Community Services at ECC, presented at numerous conferences, and consulted on a variety of projects.
His private sector experience including time at AM International Consultants, Inc., and Bell & Howell, as well as his own consulting business.
Dr. Mariani earned his EdD at D’Youville, a bachelors’ of Business Administration and Master of Science, Educational Administration and Supervision from St. Bonaventure University. He was a graduate of St. Francis High School of Athol Springs.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed his family and friends.
Please remember Bill in your prayers, along with his wife, Marcia, and his children, Dr. Mara Mariani and William Mariani II, Esq., his mother, Elisabeth, and his sister, Deborah (Anthony Palumbo).
May God grant Bill eternal rest.
This morning’s (Monday, June 26) 11:30 AM Mass in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, third floor of the Koessler Administration building, will be celebrated in Bill’s memory. All are welcome.
Arrangements will be announced at a later date.
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D’Youville Community Mourns Passing of Dr. William Mariani
A Message from Dr. Lorrie Clemo, President, D’Youville College
Buffalo, New York – June 26, 2017 – I am deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Executive Vice President Bill Mariani. Bill died Sunday at Gates Vascular Institute following a brief illness. He was 67.
It is a significant loss for the D’Youville Community and for higher education across the region and state. Bill was an insightful and visionary leader who was highly approachable. During his interim presidency here at D’Youville and throughout my transition, he focused on strengthening and growing the College. He sought out talented people equally eager to tackle the challenges of a dynamic higher education environment.
I will miss him enormously not only for his advice and gentle manner, but also his friendship and support. He was a great colleague. On behalf of the D’Youville College community, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marcia and the Mariani family.
Bill served as president of Erie Community College from 1997 to 2006. He joined us at D’Youville in 2007 as an associate professor of business; in 2009, he was promoted to vice president.
On July 1, 2016, Bill became D’Youville’s interim president, succeeding Sister Denise Roche, GNSH.
At the time of his appointment, Bill said, ““I have so much regard for Sister Denise’s legacy and what she has achieved over her tenure. It is an honor to have been offered the opportunity to help ensure her legacy continues, which embodies the mission and history of this extraordinary learning institution.”
Sister Denise remembers Bill fondly. "Bill was a person with many talents and lengthy experience in higher education and issues facing it. However we all knew Bill as a mentor, a guide, an encourager, and a support in times of trouble or confusion. Anyone who knew Bill realized that his family was always first for him, that he was a faithful and loyal friend, and that he enjoyed life with an exuberance and zest that drew each of us into his enthusiasm. He shared his values and his wonderful humor readily with others and was a man who lifted spirits and made people smile and be better wherever he went. His spirit and positive attitude will be missed by many."
In January, he transitioned from interim president to executive vice president, Administrative Affairs.
As executive vice president, Bill was charged with spearheading the College’s expansion into online learning and other new venture opportunities locally and nationally. A role that suited him well, given his vast network of professional and personal connections throughout the region.
"I am very saddened by the sudden passing of Bill Mariani,” said C.J. Urlaub, chair of D’Youville’s Board of Trustees. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the D’Youville community. Bill stepped in to a difficult role with the retirement of Sister Denise. He was instrumental in advancing many improvements in the short time he was in the interim role. His contributions were essential in supporting and leading the College and he was a stabilizing force for the College. I feel a personal deep sense of loss with his passing, and this is an enormous loss for his family, D’Youville, and our community."
Among his professional affiliations and community service activities: New York State Association of Community College Presidents; Erie County Workforce Investment Board; Western New York Higher Education Consortium; New York State Department of Economic Development Strategic Training; St. Francis High School Board of Trustees; United Way Regional Campaign co-chair (2002); Holiday Valley Ski Patrol; BOCES I Planning Board; Lackawanna Bicentennial Committee, and past president of the Rotary Club of Hamburg.
During a career in academia, Bill served as a professor in our Department of Business and in ECC’s School of Management. He was the founding dean of the Division of Development & Community Services at ECC, presented at numerous conferences, and consulted on a variety of projects.
His private sector experience including time at AM International Consultants, Inc., and Bell & Howell, as well as his own consulting business.
Dr. Mariani earned his EdD at D’Youville, a bachelors’ of Business Administration and Master of Science, Educational Administration and Supervision from St. Bonaventure University. He was a graduate of St. Francis High School of Athol Springs.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed his family and friends.
Please remember Bill in your prayers, along with his wife, Marcia, and his children, Dr. Mara Mariani and William Mariani II, Esq., his mother, Elisabeth, and his sister, Deborah (Anthony Palumbo).
May God grant Bill eternal rest.
This morning’s (Monday, June 26) 11:30 AM Mass in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, third floor of the Koessler Administration building, will be celebrated in Bill’s memory. All are welcome.
Arrangements will be announced at a later date.
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D’Youville Community Mourns Passing of Dr. William Mariani
A Message from Dr. Lorrie Clemo, President, D’Youville College
Buffalo, New York – June 26, 2017 – I am deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Executive Vice President Bill Mariani. Bill died Sunday at Gates Vascular Institute following a brief illness. He was 67.
It is a significant loss for the D’Youville Community and for higher education across the region and state. Bill was an insightful and visionary leader who was highly approachable. During his interim presidency here at D’Youville and throughout my transition, he focused on strengthening and growing the College. He sought out talented people equally eager to tackle the challenges of a dynamic higher education environment.
I will miss him enormously not only for his advice and gentle manner, but also his friendship and support. He was a great colleague. On behalf of the D’Youville College community, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marcia and the Mariani family.
Bill served as president of Erie Community College from 1997 to 2006. He joined us at D’Youville in 2007 as an associate professor of business; in 2009, he was promoted to vice president.
On July 1, 2016, Bill became D’Youville’s interim president, succeeding Sister Denise Roche, GNSH.
At the time of his appointment, Bill said, ““I have so much regard for Sister Denise’s legacy and what she has achieved over her tenure. It is an honor to have been offered the opportunity to help ensure her legacy continues, which embodies the mission and history of this extraordinary learning institution.”
Sister Denise remembers Bill fondly. "Bill was a person with many talents and lengthy experience in higher education and issues facing it. However we all knew Bill as a mentor, a guide, an encourager, and a support in times of trouble or confusion. Anyone who knew Bill realized that his family was always first for him, that he was a faithful and loyal friend, and that he enjoyed life with an exuberance and zest that drew each of us into his enthusiasm. He shared his values and his wonderful humor readily with others and was a man who lifted spirits and made people smile and be better wherever he went. His spirit and positive attitude will be missed by many."
In January, he transitioned from interim president to executive vice president, Administrative Affairs.
As executive vice president, Bill was charged with spearheading the College’s expansion into online learning and other new venture opportunities locally and nationally. A role that suited him well, given his vast network of professional and personal connections throughout the region.
"I am very saddened by the sudden passing of Bill Mariani,” said C.J. Urlaub, chair of D’Youville’s Board of Trustees. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the D’Youville community. Bill stepped in to a difficult role with the retirement of Sister Denise. He was instrumental in advancing many improvements in the short time he was in the interim role. His contributions were essential in supporting and leading the College and he was a stabilizing force for the College. I feel a personal deep sense of loss with his passing, and this is an enormous loss for his family, D’Youville, and our community."
Among his professional affiliations and community service activities: New York State Association of Community College Presidents; Erie County Workforce Investment Board; Western New York Higher Education Consortium; New York State Department of Economic Development Strategic Training; St. Francis High School Board of Trustees; United Way Regional Campaign co-chair (2002); Holiday Valley Ski Patrol; BOCES I Planning Board; Lackawanna Bicentennial Committee, and past president of the Rotary Club of Hamburg.
During a career in academia, Bill served as a professor in our Department of Business and in ECC’s School of Management. He was the founding dean of the Division of Development & Community Services at ECC, presented at numerous conferences, and consulted on a variety of projects.
His private sector experience including time at AM International Consultants, Inc., and Bell & Howell, as well as his own consulting business.
Dr. Mariani earned his EdD at D’Youville, a bachelors’ of Business Administration and Master of Science, Educational Administration and Supervision from St. Bonaventure University. He was a graduate of St. Francis High School of Athol Springs.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed his family and friends.
Please remember Bill in your prayers, along with his wife, Marcia, and his children, Dr. Mara Mariani and William Mariani II, Esq., his mother, Elisabeth, and his sister, Deborah (Anthony Palumbo).
May God grant Bill eternal rest.
This morning’s (Monday, June 26) 11:30 AM Mass in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, third floor of the Koessler Administration building, will be celebrated in Bill’s memory. All are welcome.
Arrangements will be announced at a later date.
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