Michael A. Maglio
Formerly of Pittsburgh

Michael A. Maglio, 84, formerly of Pittsburgh, passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, with his family at his side, after a long illness. Son of the late Joseph and Rose (Franzone) Maglio; brother of the late Joseph J. Maglio; and brother-in-law of Barbara Maglio. Mr. Maglio was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Haverhill, Mass., and was a veteran of the Army Air Corps during World War II. Mr. Maglio was a 1941 graduate of Haverhill High School, where he was president of his class and the editor of the school newspaper. He attended Lowell State Teachers College, now UMASS Lowell, where he graduated summa cum laude, and Columbia University where he earned an M.A. in Education. Following his graduation from Columbia University, Mr. Maglio earned a full scholarship to attend The Paris Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano and conducting. He was revered by his students at Long Beach High School in Long Beach, N.Y., and by his students during his long tenure at Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, where he taught conducting and music education and served as president of the Faculty Senate. He directed the Duquesne Music School choir in many performances of sacred music. In his retirement, he also directed the Tice Valley United Methodist Church Choir of Walnut Creek, Calif. While at Long Beach High, he directed many innovative performances, and several of his students became well-known performers, including lifelong friend, Billy Crystal. Billy and his high school sweetheart, now his wife, Janice, were frequent babysitters for Lisa and Michael. Mr. Maglio was a professional musician who performed with the Boston Pops and directed The Million Dollar Concert Band of Long Beach, N.Y., which appeared with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Mr. Maglio also appeared with the Tony Bennett orchestra, and while living in Europe in 1952, appeared with Bobby Short at the Mars Club, in Paris; Mr. Short became a lifelong friend. He also conducted the McKeesport Symphony Orchestra and the Keystone Pops Concert Band. While directing the Keystone Pops, he performed at the 1976 Pittsburgh Bi-Centennial Celebration before an estimated crowd of 200,000 spectators. While directing the Hagerstown Band, Mr. Maglio received the key to the city; prior recipients of the award included only U.S. Presidents, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox, and a baseball aficionado who played for the Boston Nationals, and who was an assistant coach of the Long Beach High School baseball team. He waited for 80 years for his beloved Sox to defeat the Curse of the Bambino and, at long last, win the World Series in 2004; then, they did it again for him in 2007. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary, of 54 years; his daughter, Lisa Maglio Brown, of Moraga, Calif.; his son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Wendy, of Pittsburgh; and his beloved granddaughters, Callie Brown and Molly Maglio. He is also survived by his nieces, Michaileen Vilsack, Marlene Potter, Cynthia Maglio Sullivan and Katherine Gauvain, and their families. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 South Main St., Bradford, Mass. Internment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Haverhill, Mass. Arrangements are by the H.L. FARMER & SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATION SERVICE, Haverhill and Bradford, Mass. Condolences to his family may be made at www.farmerfuneralhomes.com . In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of the East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, www.hospicecc.org, who offered exceptional care to Mr. Maglio during the latter stages of his illness.
Pittsburgh PA, news,

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