Sebastiano Magnolia

Sebastiano Magnolia, age 96, a long-time resident of Wilmington, formerly of East Boston, passed away surrounded by his loving family at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading on August 17, 2023.

Sebastiano was born on May 4, 1927, in Riposto, Sicily, Italy; he was the cherished son of the late Matteo and Maria Magnolia.  Sebastiano was raised and educated in Italy.  As a young child, he spent most of his time near the ocean and worked as a fisherman throughout his early adulthood.  Sebastiano moved to the United States in 1957 and settled in the North End.

Sebastiano met his wife Olga, and they married in November of 1959.  They settled in East Boston, where they raised their two daughters, Adriene, and Lisa. The couple shared many wonderful years together before Olga’s passing in 2017.

Sebastiano worked as a Candymaker at the Schraffts Company for many years.

Sebastiano and Olga moved to Wilmington in 1991 to be closer to their daughter Lisa and her family.  They spent their time caring for their two grandsons Tyler and Spencer; the boys brought them so much joy.

In his spare time, Sebastiano loved to spend time outside in his yard.  He enjoyed caring for his garden and fishing.  Sebastiano loved nature and never forgot his beach days in Italy.  He enjoyed holidays and family gatherings, where he could enjoy Olga’s cooking and share stories of his childhood.

Sebastiano was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He will be remembered as a kind and strong man. 

Sebastiano was the beloved husband of the late Olga Magnolia, devoted father of Adriene Magnolia & her husband Kirk Mainville of Spencer and Lisa Magnolia-Maffei & her husband John of Wilmington, loving "Papa” of Tyler and Spencer Maffei.

Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Saturday, August 26th from 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Dorothy's Church, Main Street, (Rte. 38), Wilmington, at 11:30 a.m. A private Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations in Sebastiano's name may be made to the Sawtelle Hospice House, 320 Haverhill Street, Reading, MA  01867.