MAGNAGHI

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 06:25:49 :

Marin Independent Journal
Thursday, June 13, 1985
Section A, page 4

ROY U. MAGNAGHI

Roy U. Magnaghi, Marin’s only tombstone maker for many years and a resident of San Rafael for 67 years, died Wednesday at Ross General Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Magnaghi, 69, was the owner of Marin Monument Co. at the end of Fifth Avenue. He operated the business, which he took over from his father, for 44 years.

Three years ago, he retired and sold the firm.

Mr. Magnaghi was born in San Francisco and moved to San Rafael when he was 2 years old.

From 1943 to 1945, he served in the Navy shore patrol in San Francisco.

While learning the tombstone trade from his father, he also was a policeman in San Rafael and San Anselmo.

Mr. Magnaghi sometimes took a month to carve the large upright monument, such as those found in Mount Tamalpais and Mount Olivet cemeteries in San Rafael. In the later years, however, he focused on the smaller, flat lawn markers after cemeteries streamlined operations and wanted ones “they can mow right over,” he was quoted as saying in a 1978 Independent Journal article.

He also played the accordion professionally for 34 years, having formed a three-piece combo that played at parties and weddings.

He was a member of the Marin Rod and Gun Club.

Survivors are his wife, Phyllis, and two daughters, Donna Magnaghi of San Rafael and Mary Ann Magnaghi of Novato.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Raphael’s Church in San Rafael. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in San Rafael.

The rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Friday at Keaton’s Mortuary in San Rafael.