MAGONE CAPTAIN ALBERT F. Age 94, of Monongahela, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, following a brief illness. Born December 18, 1921, in Monessen, he was the son of Joseph B. and Caroline (Mandarino) Magnone. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, patriot and friend to many, Al will be remembered for service to community and church. Al worked for more than 46 years at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, where he rose to the position of chemical analyst, retiring in 1986. He loved telling jokes, traveling, doing home and auto repairs and woodworking. At Monessen High School, Al was a standout in baseball. His nicknames were Ace, Bread and Potential Bombardier. He was a home run hitter at 9th Street Park where few could hit a home run over the left field fence. Many thought Al had a future in the major leagues as a home run hitter, but he chose to enlist in the military where he attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army during WWII. As part of the 31st Infantry Dixie Division, 124th Regiment, Captain Magone served in four campaigns, Papua, New Guinea; Morotai; Asia Islands; Mindanao, Philippines. He received the Bronze Star, the Presidential Citation and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon. He led a platoon that defeated a force of 600 Japanese soldiers in hand-to-hand combat on the Sayre National Highway in the first meeting engagement in the Pacific War. He was a proud member of St. Anthony Church in Monongahela where he was an altar server and Eucharistic minister and belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council #2600 where he was a fourth degree member, receiving the Patriotic Degree. Albert and his wife, Wanda, received the Manifesting the Kingdom Award in 2011 from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Al received a diploma from the National Radio Institute in Washington, DC in 1958 that provided necessary skills to repair radios and televisions. Operating Al's Radio and Television Repair out of his home, the business ultimately closed because Al generally did not charge his customers. Al was the pack leader for Cub Scout Troop #146 in Monongahela for many years and coached the Cardinal's Little League Team in Monongahela for 20 years. Al will long be remembered by his former players because he valued letting everyone play over winning. Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Wanda (Previtali) Magone, having married on September 21, 1947. Albert and Wanda have four children, Maria E. Magone (husband Clint B. Geller and daughter Annie Geller), Frank D. Magone, (wife Cindy and daughters Elizabeth and Alexandra), Mark J. Magone and Laura M. Magone. Al is the last surviving offspring of his family and was preceded in death by Virginia (Doc) Trilli, Margaret (Pete) DiPiazza, Julia (Tut) Altemara, George (Sylvia) Magone, William (Shirley) Magnone and Jerry (Antoinette) Magone. Albert is survived by many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Friends will be received at the MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess Street, Monongahela, 724-258-6767, marshallmarrafuneralhome. com on Saturday and Sunday from 2-6 p.m., where services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Mon-Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad. Contributions may be made to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust, cst.dav.org . Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
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