Aldo Peter Magi

 Aldo P. Magi, 97, of Sandusky, passed away peacefully early Saturday afternoon, October 30, 2021, at Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky.   He graduated from Sandusky High School and later attended classes at the former Bowling Green State University extension site in Sandusky.   He served in the United States Army Air Force, 1943-1946, and was an employee of West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company, retiring in 1983.  He had a long association with the Sandusky Cultural Center, as a member of their staff and Board of Directors.  He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
   Magi was considered one of the leading independent scholars in the life and works of Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938), author of "Look Homeward, Angel" and "You Can't Go Home Again."  He published numerous books, monographs, and articles about the author and other related matters.  One of Magi's books, "Thomas Wolfe Interviewed, 1928-1938," a collection of Wolfe interviews he edited with the late Richard Walser and published by Louisiana State University Press, 1985, was chosen by the Saturday Review of Literature as one of the best nonfiction books of that year.  His collection of secondary material by and about Thomas Wolfe is considered one of the largest in private hands.  The full collection was gifted to The University of North Carolina Library (Chapel Hill) in 1999.
   Magi served as Associate Editor of the "Thomas Wolfe Review" from its inception in 1977 until 1996, and later as Editor Emeritus until his death.  He was one of the founding fathers of the international Thomas Wolfe Society and served on its Board of Directors from 1979 to 1987.  He received the Thomas Wolfe Society Citation of Merit in 1988 "for unmatched service to Thomas Wolfe and for his Wolfe scholarship."   In 1985, Magi was awarded the Zelda Gitlin Literary Prize for his "Thomas Wolfe: Say It With Music," which eventually led to his writing nearly fifty essays on various musical compositions inspired by the life and work of Thomas Wolfe.
   In addition to his published work on Wolfe, Magi conducted workshops on various topics of Wolfe biography and bibliography.  He delivered his presentation "Thomas Wolfe: A Literary Experience" to scholarly programs and classes, as well as library, church, civic, and social groups locally.
   He is survived by special friends, Rennie Funni, Heidi Adams, Tom Leber, Linda Bolton, Joel Mazza, and Paul and Alea Dahnke, and many other friends, nieces, and nephews.
   He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Adele (Adavini) Magi; six sisters, Mrs. Frank (Rose) Marketti, Mrs. Mike (Lucille) Palazzo, Mrs. William (Ann) Lorenz, Mrs. Delbert (Victoria) Kirkpatrick, and Misses America "Bella" Magi and Anita Magi; three brothers, Henry Magi, Louis Magi, and Salvadore "Toby" Magi; and several nieces and nephews.
   Visitation will be held on Saturday morning, November 6, 2021, from 8:30 am until time of prayers at 9:40 am at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  Fr. Zachary Brown officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Sandusky.   Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post # 83 and VFW Post # 2529 Color Guard.
   Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas Wolfe Society, P.O. Box 1146, Bloomington, IN 47402-1146, or Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870 or to one's favorite charity.
   Your memories and words of comfort may be shared at davidfkoch.com.
 

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