|
| Obituaries |
|
|
Alfred P. Magnani Alfred P. Magnani, of Malden, a carpenter and decorated WWII combat veteran, died Monday in his home after a long illness. He was 79 years old. Alfred was born in Philadelphia, and raised in Malden. He was educated in the Malden School systems, but left Malden HS in his senior year to serve his county in WWII. During WWII, Mr. Magnani was a member of the Army's Americal Division, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry, where he saw 3 1/2 years of active combat duty. He was first based at Camp Edwards in MA, before moving to NY, and then Melbourne Australia. While preparing for battle in Australia, the Americal Division was formed. Alfred arrived with the Americal Division in New Caledonia, and from there he spearheaded the invasion of the Solomon Islands, which were then under Japanese control. The division also fought at Guadalcanal, the Island of Cebu, the Fiji Islands, and Bougainville. In Bouganville, he contracted malaria, and was returned to the Fiji Islands for rehabilitation. He returned to his division and fought in the Philippine Islands, where he suffered shrapnel wounds, and was subsequently discharged. Upon returning to the Boston Area in 1945, he married his wife Eleanor (Cipriano), with whom he shared the next 56 years. He eventually started his own carpentry business, which he ran until his retirement at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, son George Magnani of North Reading, Daughter Doreen Johnson of Malden, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Josephs Church, Malden at 10:00 AM, on Friday, March 9th. Interment to follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thurs. from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
|
