Anthony A. Magaletta Jr.

He was born in Norwood, MA on March 25, 1936, the son of Helen I. (Nordman) and Anthony A. Magaletta, Sr. He resided in the greater Boston area for most of his early life and graduated from Concord (MA) High School.

Following graduation from high school, Mr. Magaletta studied sign art at the Butera School of Art in Boston. He graduated after completing two years of course work, and accepted his first professional position at Cheshire Signs, Inc. in North Swanzey, NH, at the age of 20.

In 1979, he purchased the company from Leslie Flanders and in all, spent more than 50 years operating the business. He was widely known and respected for the quality of work he produced. Prior to the use of computers in sign making, he rendered all designs and patterns by hand, lettering all painting signs and cutting all wooden letters by hand. He was highly skilled and endeavored to consistently produce quality work. Early in his career, he also studied glass blowing at a school specializing in neon art, located in New York City.

Mr. Magaletta enjoyed many sports and was an excellent golfer. He played golf at the Keene Country Club for a number of years. He fondly recalled golfing with his dad and traveling with him to attend and observe various professional golf tournaments throughout New England and the South.

He enjoyed woodworking, furniture making, the construction of his home in Surry, and classic cars. He had many beloved pets throughout his years and was especially fond of his cat, Buddy, and his dogs, Ragu, Kaina, and Misty.

He is survived by his children, Anthony A. Magaletta, III of Glendale, CA, Susan L. Ehling and her husband, Timothy P. Ehling, of Seattle, WA; three grandchildren, Jonah, Sam and Grace Ehling, all of Seattle; his former wife, Melissa L. Magaletta, of Keene; and a cousin, Lorraine Reilly of Middleboro, MA.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM in the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH, with words of remembrance offered at 5:30PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Magaletta’s memory to Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption, 14 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446, or to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446.