U.S. Navy veteran, RMV supervisor, local businessman
Published in the July 9, 2015
LOXAHATCHEE, FL — John E. Magazzu, age 87, ended his battle with Cancer peacefully, at his daughter’s home in Loxahatchee, Florida on May 23, 2015 and was entombed in Hollywood, Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Angela C. (DeVito) Magazzu, his daughter Diana A. Magazzu , of Loxahatchee, FL; his daughter, Angela C. (Magazzu) Bigham of Hollywood, FL, and his son John E. Magazzu Jr and wife Monika of North Reading, his grandchildren Kristen Ann Garrett, Kimberly Emmons and husband Bradley, Eric Bigham, Jennifer Magazzu, Stacey (Magazzu) Bunyar, Jonathan Magazzu, Drew Magazzu and Joseph Magazzu; great–grandchildren, Carmine Garrett, Ariella Garrett, Landon Emmons, Casen Emmons, Juliet Belanger, Lia Bunyar, Miles Bunyar, and Ryann Bunyar. He is preceded in death by his son, Joseph Magazzu; his brother Domenic Magazzu, his sisters Joanne Lacorazza , Mary Giannetto, and Nancy (Harzmovitch) Bogus.
John E. Magazzu was born on October 15, 1927 in Chelsea, to parents Giovanni Magazzu and Antonia (Cambria) Magazzu. He graduated from Chelsea High School in Chelsea. In 1945, he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1948. After his service he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and Chelsea Police Department until he accepted a position in the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, where he worked for more than 33 years. He was Supervisor of the Reading, Woburn and Malden Registry offices until 1990, when he retired to Florida.
John was also a hard working entrepreneur. Over the years he bought and sold much real estate and vehicles. He owned businesses such as Best Dry Cleaners, Jay’s TV and Appliances, JEM Realty, Mel–Mag Motors, North Reading Cinema, and Davie Auto Brokers.
John was a great family man and a loving father. He married Angela C. Devito in 1951 and the couple had four children together, eight grandchildren and eight great–grandchildren.
John was a socially active man, who was deeply involved with Knights of Columbus as a Fourth Degree member and the Loyal Order of Moose as a past Governor, American Legion, Polish–American Club, the Italian–American Club, St. Maurice’s Church of Hollywood, FL and St. Theresa of North Reading, for the majority of his life. He enjoyed family, friends, music and dancing. His family and friends will always remember him as a wise, charitable and kind person.
A funeral Mass was held May 26, 2015, at St. Maurice Church at the Resurrection in Dania Beach, FL. His family is having memorial services, Saturday July 11 at 9 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic cChurch 63 Winter Street, North Reading, followed by a collation at the Hillview Country Club , 149 North Street, North Reading, at 9:45 a.m. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John E. Magazzu’s life.
