By Kathleen Evanoff
The Niles Times
When Anthony Magliaro came home to Niles in 2010, donating his custom-made trumpet to the school district wasn't his only reason for returning.
Article Photos
The Niles Times file photo / Kathleen Evanoff
Former Niles resident Anthony Magliaro, left, is pictured along with Niles businessman Nick Limongi in a 2010 Niles Times file photo. Magliaro, who donated one of his custom-made trumpets to be displayed at the new high school, died July 21 at his home in Las Vegas.
''He made his funeral arrangements when he was here,'' said Magliaro's longtime friend and Niles resident, Nick Limongi.
Magliaro, who passed away July 21 at his home in Las Vegas, will be remembered with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Stephen Church. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to Mass. He will be laid to rest at St. Stephen Cemetery.
Although he had lived in Las Vegas for the past 54 years, during his visit in 2010, Magliaro said Niles has never been far from his heart. He often came back to visit and said he could count on one hand the years he didn't return to his home town.
A 1942 graduate of Niles High School, Magliaro was the first inductee in the Niles Musicians Hall of Fame, an alumni organization co-founded five years ago by Limongi and high school band director, Carla Dean.
Although he grew up in the city, Magliaro left shortly after graduation to join the U.S. Army Air Corps where he played in the U.S. Air Force Band until 1944. After leaving military service, Magliaro immediately went to New York City where he rehearsed in the well-known NOLA studio and went on to perform with many of the great bandleaders of the era.
Magliaro said he put his horn away at the age of 63 after working with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sarah Vaughn.
The trumpet he donated to the school is a 60 year old Calicchio, a brand name that is famous among trumpet players. Upon donating the instrument to the school, Magliano said, ''I just wanted to give something back.''
He is survived by his wife, Janet Magliaro and three children, Lorna Magliaro of Irvine, Calif., Anthony Magliaro and Jayna Magliaro, both of Las Vegas, two step children, Ned and Jill Brown, also of Las Vegas, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He also is survived by his sister, Louise Mogaukos of Niles.