Lawrence Alvin Magaraggia, age 86 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born January 9, 1933 in Caspian, MI son of Giuseppe and Emma (Lincastro) Magaraggia. Larry graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War Era. Larry married Mercedes (Schmitt) on December 10, 1955 in Birnamwood, WI. They resided in Milwaukee for a couple of years prior to moving to Caspian, MI where he began in the grocery career. In 1963 they moved to L’Anse and purchased the L’Anse IGA, and later the City Market. Around 1965 he bought the grocery store in Baraga, Larry’s Market which he owned until 2005 when his sons took over the family business.
He was an athlete, playing softball in his younger days, was an accomplished bowler, golfer, bocce player, and an avid Packers Fan. He enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports and would follow all their games. He often returned to Iron River to visit his friends, and his daily routine involved having coffee with his buddy’s downtown L’Anse.
Larry was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Knights of Columbus and was a former Grand Knight, and life member of the L’Anse Golf Club.
Surviving are his wife Mercedes of L’Anse; children, Lori (Andrew) Williams of Antioch, IL, Mark Magaraggia of L’Anse, Lisa (Bob) Tollefson of DePere, WI, Peter (Tammy) Magaraggia of L’Anse, Susan (Dave) Fietzer of Winneconne, WI; sister Alice Leabu of Ypsilanti, MI; grandchildren, Kathleen, Lucas, Adam, Thomas, Jena, Jay, Johnathon, Emily, Joe, Dean, Gina, Mercedes, Ruby; great grandchildren Gracie, Willa, and Odell; numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents, daughter Theresa McInenly, sisters’ Alvera Freimuth, Virginia Rosseau, Ziara Hawke, Mary Pearson, Florence Brunelle, and Margaret Rossin.
Visitation will be on Saturday, May 4th from 11-1 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. His funeral mass will be at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Corey Litzner Officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Burial will be in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery with Baraga County Area Veterans conducting military rites under the direction of the American Legion Post 444. Arrangements have been entrusted to Jacobson Funeral Home.
Friends may sign Larry’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com