Engineer – Fire Station 1
Deceased:
08/31/2021
Appointed:
11/01/1948
Pensioned:
02/01/1977 – FS1
Services:
PRIVATE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Vito is a WWII Veteran (Purple Heart) on D Day. Served 7-1-43 9-2-45 in the Navy.
Vito was 6 time National Hand Ball Champion.
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Maggi was a handball legend when I came on the LAFD in 1974. After a couple of years learning the game on the hardwood at FS 9, Maggi wandered into quarters ‘looking for a game.’ I was selected and found myself on the court with this gentleman. I started out pretty good as it was somewhat competitive. Then Maggi shed one of his three sweatshirts. Then another. Finally the last one and I was done. It was clear to me that he was just getting warmed up. Although clearly I was not his equal it was an honor being on the court with him. Rest peacefully Maggi.
The LEGEND!!! more than just a Great handball player, a Great Man!!! I was fortunate and honored to have met him, what great stories he had and not only about handball but about life!!! another Icon of the LAFDS “Greatest Generation” RIP
One of America’s Greatest Generation! Rest in Peace Sir.
The words of Marc Antony ring true; “When comes such another?” Vito was an extraordinary man, a mentor to several generations of LAFD handball players. RIP Maggie…there’ll never be another like you.
I worked with Maggi at Fire Station 1 in 1975. He was a real gentleman, a pleasure to work with. I witnessed his handball/racket ball prowess. Games with a one foot alway in a circle drawn on the floor and many others. We were drilling down by the Brew 102 Brewery one day and Maggi walked in to a place where guys were playing High Lai. He asked if he could try it and after a few minutes looked better than the regulars. Maggi always wore his turn out coat around the station, his metabolism was so slow he was cold. I believe his resting heartbeat was
40. A legend for sure, one of a cast of characters at Fire Station 1 at that time. Rest In Peace my friend, you sure made an impression on me.
Maggi was one of a kind. He will be missed on so many levels. What a great man. It was a pleasure and honor to know him.
Rest in Peace dear friend. The world will miss you.
As you can see a legend has passed away. Vito was a true gentleman. I remember the first time I got to meet him. I was playing in a handball tournament and was playing against Freddy Folta, as I warmed up Vito was in the stands watching. Needless to say I got a spanking and lost in two straight games. When I came off the court Vito walked up to me and said “Kid! you looked so great warming up, was it all for show” I’ll never forget that. When he played against the likes of Tom Rohrbach and Dick Christman, Maga, and Zink, they were the ones to watch!! May he rest in pease…..
I was with a new generation of rookies assigned to F.S. l In 1975. In time I would learn the names of all members on the on the A- shift, but I was reluctant and not sure of one individual, and that was Vito Maggipinto. He was referred to as Maggi by all. To me that was a girls name and I did not want to offend him by using the name Maggi. From this first house I learned that many members on the job had nicknames. It was an honor and a privilege to have met and worked with such a gentleman and be able to call him Maggi. At his retirement dinner I had the honor of meeting his father, what a pair, two handsome gentlemen. Maggi rest in peace. You will be missed and remembered.
I stuffed a fistball into the back of Maggies head at 26’s. A man from the greatest generation. I was booed off the court by the gallery. What an honor. Rest in peace.
I was one who was magnetized back in 1975 I worked with him at 1s Truly an amazing individual I am a better person having been a friend thank you
Vito was an all-star at everything he got involved in. Loving husband, great Firefighter, National Handball Champ multiple times, stormed the beach in Normandy on D-Day in a mine sweeper boat, and just a great man. Vito always came to the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112’s Christmas parties every year, as he appreciated everything that labor had fought for. Thanks Maggi, we all sit under the shade of the trees you planted for our freedom, on the LAFD, and definitely on the handball. Rest in Power Brother.
Frank Lima told me a story years ago about Vito, that I will never forget and truly illustrates Vito’s character. Frank said he attended the funeral of a LAFD member, many years after Vito had retired and saw Vito at the funeral. Frank approached Vito and asked him how long he had known the deceased member and Vito replied, that he did not know the member but was there to honor him for being a Los Angeles City Firefighter. If you never knew Vito, that story sums up all you have to know about the Man that he was.
I thought of a story about Maggie I got to 1s and thought of myself of an accomplished racket ball player and wanted to get a game Maggie said your on with all of 1s in the gallery he handed me my my butt exhausted in the locker room allowing this old guy beat me a fellow sat next to me to console me and asked did play you right handed or left as answered left and said Maggie’s right handed after that Maggie and I became great friends and often rode on the pump with him and heard his words of wisdom the last time we spoke was at Tom Kenyons dinner he did not know him but attended to honor him I do not know anyone who can come close to his loyalty and character
I thought of a story about Maggie I got to 1s and thought of myself of an accomplished racket ball player and wanted to get a game Maggie said your on with all of 1s in the gallery he handed me my my butt exhausted in the locker room allowing this old guy beat me a fellow sat next to me to console me and asked did play you right handed or left as answered left and said Maggie’s right handed and showed me he won his first national championship the year I was born after that Maggie and I became great friends and often rode on the pump with him and heard his words of wisdom the last time we spoke was at Tom Kenyons dinner he did not know him but attended to honor him I do not know anyone who can come close to his loyalty and character
I met Vito at 1’s on a move up. I really didn’t know him and his accomplishments at the time. Merrill Reed and I challenged him to a game of racket ball. He offered to play us left handed. You can guess the outcome. I don’t remember if we even scored a point. Later on he and jerry Simon would come to the Skid Row. I got to have him as a partner. He was probably in his late 70’s or early 80’s. We lost, but he got me a trophy. The Mike Mitchell Biggest Loser award.. How could anybody lose with Maggi as a partner. RIP partner.
The LAFD and humanity has lost an icon. A true gentleman who wore many hats. Loving husband and father, Fireman, Handball champion, and decorated veteran. One of “The Greatest Generation’s” finest. I had the honor and privilege to have met Maggi as a pre teen because of my father. We became friends as I entered the LAFD and played Handball. The thing I remember most about Maggi was as a mentor to all of us. To be a better member of the Department, or on the Handball court.
You will be sorely missed my friend, yours are gigantic shoes, that will never be filled.
Maggie was truly one of a kind. He was always ready to listen to your gripes or play any game you wanted a lesson in
when I was at 50’s he would come over once or twice a week between golf games
I would look up and there he would be with handball gloves hanging out of his pocket and a racket in his hand
He would tell me about the big matches at 1’s for dinners for the battalion
the whole battalion would be parked out in the street
I will miss bumping into him at different events and talking about handball and the good old days