Joseph A. Magnino, 88, of Greenfield, passed away peacefully, Thursday, February 6, 2025.
He was born on May 17, 1936 to the late Joseph J. and Amelia (Masini) Magnino in Trimountain, MI. He was educated in the schools of Kenosha. He graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1953, where he had fond memories. Joe was an accordion player and had a poplar teenage musical trio called the Starnoters which consisted of Bill Kult on saxophone and clarinet and Ron Tabbert on drums. They played around Kenosha at Junior Dry Dock at the KYF, CYO and Lincoln Park Dances along with many other teenage functions. Joe won many awards as a high school musician to mention a few: The WTMJ Grenadiers accordion contest, First Place in a CYO Variety Show and First Place in the State of Wisconsin for his performance and his rendition of the Flight of the Bubble Bee. His parents Amelia and Joseph were so very proud of Joe and at every opportunity went to hear Joe play his accordion and watch him perform until they passed. Family and fans continued to take every chance to see him play throughout the Milwaukee area.
Joe Magnino was a musicians’ musician. He started performing on the accordion at the age of 12, studying with known Racine musician/teacher, Frank Ricchio. His professional career began at age 15 and included performances during the early 1960’s on the Milwaukee Clipper. He was a member of the US Army Band from 1959-1961.
Joe received his Bandsman Degree from the Navy School of Music, Washington, DC in 1959. He earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Northern Michigan University in 1962 and his Master of Music Degree from Michigan State University in 1963.
From 1963-1970 he traveled the world performing with various well-known ensembles, including three years with the world-famous RCA Recording Group, The Three Suns. Performances took him throughout Japan and the Far East. He appeared with Mike Douglas Show and at the 1965 World’s Fair in New York.
Since 1970, Joe has been a free-lance musician in the greater Milwaukee area, having preformed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Melody Top Theater, the Steve Swedish Orchestra, Jerry Blake Orchestras, the Holiday Folk Fairs in Milwaukee and /Racine, and at the /Wisconsin /state Fair, Bastille Days, Summerfest, the Circus Train, Italian /Fest-Racine, and Milwaukee, and the Kenosha Pops Band, as well as leading his own trios and quartets.
Beginning in 1970, Joe was in the classroom teaching Chorus, Band, General Music, and/or Orchestra, at MPS’s Wright Junior High School, West Division High School, Sholes Junior High School, and Roosevelt Middle School. He also taught Summer School guitar classes at Fritsche Junior High.
In 1975 he was appointed Assistant Conductor of the MPS All-City Junior Orchestra and in 1978, the All-City Senior Orchestra. From 1982 until his retirement in 1992, Joe served as Director of Orchestras at Milwaukee’s Bay View High School.
Joe played professionally and belonged to the Milwaukee Musician’s Union, Local #8.
Joe met the love of his life Lori Giese, who is also very musical, later in life, and their trio played in the Milwaukee area. They loved to travel and visit new places.
Joe is survived by his sisters Priscilla (Hugh) McShane and Mary (Larry) Kessler, his beloved friend Lori Giese and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Josephine Cipparone and Shirley Nellen and his brother Dr. James Magnino.
A Funeral Mass for Joe will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church (1919 – 54th St.) with Full Military Honors to follow. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Memorials would be appreciated to Northern Michigan University in Marquette Michigan for the music program in Joe’s memory.
