With great sadness we announce the death of Rosario Harry James Maggio Sr. He died of natural causes on February 6, 2023, at home with his beloved wife Gerry and family by his side. He was 97 years young.
Friends and family may call on Friday, February 17, 2023, from 6:00-8:00PM at Taylor Funeral home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, MD 21401. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester, on Saturday, February 18, at 10:30AM, followed immediately by graveside services at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, 900 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD 21035. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Anne Arundel Medical Center Auxiliary.
Harry was born in the summer of 1925 in Annapolis to the late Rosario and Rosa Maggio, both Italian immigrants from Chefalo, Sicily. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Joseph, Anna, and Rose. He is survived by his wife Geraldine Elizabeth (Steiner) Maggio; sons Ross H. J. Maggio Jr., Mark Alan Maggio, and daughter Valerie (Maggio) Colvin (Tony); grandchildren Natasha Maggio, Andrea (Maggio) Simms, Nicole Keller, Ian Maggio, Kaileigh (Maggio) Lewis (Cody); great-grandson Dominic Simms; daughter-in-law Laura Maggio; and many loving family and friends.
He attended grade school at St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Annapolis High School. Barely out of high school he was drafted, along with his brother Joe, into the U.S. Army.
Harry was a proud, combat-wounded WWII Army veteran. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained at age 19 in the small town of Champaign, France, while fighting with the 38th Infantry in the second wave on Normandy. Hospitalized for nearly 18 months, he was lucky to be going home to his family with both legs still attached. He received a metal from the French government, the Bronze Star, and the honor of meeting General Omar Bradley while fighting on the front lines.
In 1948, brothers Harry and Joe, under the guidance of their parents, opened the first Italian restaurant in Annapolis. La Rosa’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge served many authentic Italian dishes but the menu item that made the biggest impact and what is now considered common place on most restaurant’s menus was their pizza. From the watermen to the politicians to the Midshipmen, the locals couldn't get enough of La Rosa’s pizza pie. Folks flocked to La Rosa not only for the delicious food but the friendly ambience, creative libations, air conditioning, television, and live dance music.
The Maggio family still calls Annapolis its home and will always be proud of the impact their modest little Italian restaurant had on the City of Annapolis.
Harry never met a stranger. Certainly not while he was behind the bar at the Wagon Wheel. His gift of gab also served him well during his years as a successful and well-respected car salesman.
A lifelong Annapolitan, Harry was devoted to his community which he served in numerous volunteer capacities through his active memberships in the Sons and Daughters of Italy, Elks Club, and American Legion. He was especially proud of his 19 years of volunteer service at the Anne Arundel Medical Center Auxiliary.
Harry Maggio was a total family man. He was generous to a fault with a great sense of humor as evidenced by the ever-present sparkle in his eye. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
He filled many roles in his 97 years: father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, soldier, coworker, restaurateur, and friend. Most significantly, he was the love of our mother’s life for over 59 years!
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