Andrew Magni was born ninety years ago in Nonantum and lived all his life within two blocks — first above his father’s bakery and then above his funeral home. His life — family, community, work, and civic activity — was deeply rooted in the village. As so many before them, Andrew’s parents left their home near Arce, in the Italian province of Frosinone, to make a new life in Nonantum, Newton’s gateway home — first to Irish immigrants, then French Canadians, Jews, and Italians.
Andrew’s father built a home on Adams Street, where he founded Magni Bakery. The bakery quickly became a neighborhood institution, requiring all members of Magni family to be involved in the never-ending baking process. Like his father before him, Andrew worked at the bakery, went to Our Lady Help of Christians School, belonged to St. Mary of Carmen Society, Sons of Italy, and served as an usher at Our Lady’s, where, after Mass one Sunday, he met Serafina (Sally), a nursing student in the Simmons nursing program. Sally left her missalette at the church and came back in search of it. Andy, as usher, helped her find it and offered to drive her home in the limousine he used for weddings and funerals. After their marriage, fifty-nine years ago, they too lived in a small apartment above the bakery.
Andrew devoted himself to learning about running a local funeral home. A warm, loving, outgoing person with an unfailingly upbeat personality, Andy helped grieving people at the worst times of their lives. He helped organize wakes, funerals, and memorials. Because he was so much a part of Nonantum community life, he offered comfort, real compassion, and support to all the people he knew there.
In many ways, Andy was the unofficial mayor of Nonantum, involved in so many aspects of local life including helping his brother-in-law, Alfonso DeVito, establish the Newton South Co-operative Bank, which later became the Village Bank after merging with Auburndale Co-operative Bank. Serving as a Ward One Alderman on the Newton Board of Aldermen came naturally to Andy, who wanted to be sure the doors of Newton City Hall were always open to his Nonantum neighbors. He worked hard to help them navigate its bureaucracy. A dedicated Democrat, Andy also counted Congressman Barney Frank a friend and ally, appreciating Barney’s direct, authentic personality and prodigious intelligence.
Andy’s son Arthur joined his father’s business in 2000, thereby adding “and Son” to the name, Andrew J. Magni Funeral Home, which Arthur now runs. Arthur understands that the funeral business, like his family’s bakery, is an all-the-time job, best done in a community that4 you know and love.
This year was the first time Andy was not in his traditional blue shirt and black trousers — the official uniform of the St, Mary of Carmen Society — at the annual mid-July Festa celebration in Pellegrini Park, greeting people and pinning money to the Statue of Our Lady of Carmen. Alzheimers Disease had robbed him of his stewardship, his community connection, and his joy. He died a week later, surrounded by his his family. On Saturday, July 30, the pews of Our Lady’s church — the largest suburban church in the archdiocese — were filled to overflowing as Andy’s people came to say goodbye.
