Br. John Maganzini, OFM, 76, passed away Nov. 10, 2024 – one day before his birthday – at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, following complications from a stroke. He was a professed Franciscan friar for 43 years.  

A viewing will be held Friday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Shrine, 100 Arch St., Boston, MA 02110. The Mass will be livestreamed on the Shrine's website. He will be buried in a private ceremony at the friars’ plot at St. Joseph Cemetery, 990 Lagrange St., Boston, MA 02132. 

Br. John was born Nov. 11, 1947, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Bernard and Eva (née Alo). He attended elementary school at the M.W. Carr School in Somerville and went on to graduate from Somerville High School in 1965. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969. 

He was received into the Order of Friars Minor on June 15, 1980, and professed first vows on June 6, 1981. While in formation, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York, before making solemn profession on June 15, 1985. 

Much of Br. John’s ministry was focused on education and pastoral ministry. From 1983 to 1988, he served as the director of religious education and as a teacher at Holy Cross Parish and School in the Bronx, New York, while earning his Master of Theological Studies degree from nearby Fordham University. He then taught at the novitiate in St. Francis Friary in Brookline, Massachusetts, from 1988 to 1990, before returning to Holy Cross to serve as a teacher, assistant principal and rector from 1990 to 1996.  

In 1996, Br. John was assigned to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, where he began graduate studies at Boston College, studying religious education and pastoral ministry. From 1998 to 1999, he served as the associate business manager and as a staff counselor at Franciscan Counseling Services in Boston.  

In 2002, he was appointed vicar at St. Anthony Shrine and was reappointed to the role in 2008. He became director of postulants and the Lazarus Team at the Shrine that same year and was reappointed as vicar in 2014. He also continued his education so that he could better serve the people of God, receiving a certificate in spiritual direction from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 2003. 

Br. John was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by family members, friends and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  

May he rest in peace.