Obituary: Ridgefield Realto, Entrepreneur, John Joseph Maggio

John J. Maggio of Ridgefield, a local businessman and real estate broker, died of cancer Sunday, Aug. 11, surrounded by his family. He was 82 years old and the husband of Julianne Maggio.

Born on Jan. 2, 1931 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Maggio spent the last 43 years of his life in Ridgefield

At 18, Mr. Maggio entered the Air Force and was stationed in Tachikawa, Japan and Korea where he was an air traffic controller.  He volunteered for an assignment in Korea where he made an amphibious landing and set up the first air traffic control system near Inchon, receiving the Japanese Occupational Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, and the Distinguished Unit Citation.

Mr. Maggio graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting.  He became a Northeast representative for the Chemical Division of Bigelow Sanford Carpet Company.  He left Bigelow Sanford to pursue his own carpet chemical business and founded Carpet-Rite Industries.

After moving to Ridgefield in 1970, Mr. Maggio founded Better Homes Real Estate, Inc.  He built houses, subdivided properties and was an active real estate broker for many years.

In the 1980s and 90s, Mr. Maggio also operated Action Video, a video rental business on Prospect Street.

He was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish, a member and past president of the Ridgefield Lions Club, past member of Friends of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, a Yankees fan, and an avid collector of Persian rugs.

“John had a spark like no other, making friends wherever he went,” his family said. “He was much loved and will be sorely missed.”

Besides his wife of 45 years, Mr. Maggio is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Danielle and Anthony Reilly; his son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Michelle Maggio; seven grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Sal Martorana; and his niece Carol Martorana.

His mother and father, Maria and Joseph Maggio, and brother, Joseph Maggio, died before him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Aug.16, at 10:15 a.m. in St. Mary Church. Interment will take place in Quogue (N.Y.) Cemetery, Quogue.

The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., on Thursday, Aug.15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.