Filippo Magro

Filippo Magro of Friend, Nebraska peacefully passed away Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Warren Memorial Hospital at the age of 89.

Filippo was born on January 27, 1934, in Tunisia, North Africa, to Paolo F. Magro and Filippa (Landa) Magro. He lived in Tunisia until he was 4 years old before going back to Sicily where he grew up. He was the fourth of seven children.

He served in the Italian army for two years. The generals requested him to be their personal cook because he was highly respected. 

Filippo traveled to the United States in 1969 and met his future wife. He married Pietrina Palazzolo on January 15, 1971. They started their family in Detroit before making a home in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan for the next 35 years. They moved to Clinton Township, Michigan and then to Friend, Nebraska to be closer to family. Filippo and Pietrina enjoyed 52 years of marriage.

Filippo came to the United States via Ellis Island. He was proud to become an American citizen on March 28, 1989.

Filippo worked on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company for 13 years and retired in February 1997. His occupational passion was in masonry and tile work, beginning at ten years of age.

One of his favorite pastimes was gardening. He took great pride in growing fruits and vegetables, even hanging photographs of them on his walls. He enjoyed playing cards, making cappuccino, and watching game shows. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Filippo is survived by his wife Pietrina; children Phyllis (John) Schwab and Paul (Kelly) Magro; grandchildren Mariah, Elizabeth, Mikayla, Matthew, Victoria, Elizabeth, and one to be born in June 2023; great-grandchildren Kaitlynn, Kendall, Jentri, and Larry; siblings Angelina Magro, Marianna Magro, Agostino Magro, and Francesca Bosco; and brother-in-law Pietrino Palazzolo. He was preceded in death by his parents Paolo and Filippa Magro, his sister Carmella Magro, and his brother Gasper Magro.

Donations can be made in Filippo’s honor to The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (https://www.miufi.org/donate).

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