Michael Gerard Magnaldi
October 1, 2021
Michael G. Magnaldi, 56, lost his 5-year battle with prostate cancer on Friday, October 1, 2021.
He is survived by his beloved wife Kiki and their two children, Lyla and Roman, mother, Lucille, and three older siblings, John, Paul and Michele. Michael also has a daughter, Shannon, from a previous marriage.
Deeply loved by his family and friends, Michael was a kindhearted soul who also was fiercely loyal.
A lover of music, especially opera, Michael was an avid guitarist with an extensive collection of electric guitars. He also restored classic cars, including most recently two 1969 Chevys, an Impala named “Blondie” and a Caprice called “Gangsta.”
An all-around athlete who competed in triathlons, Michael later founded the National Paddle Association, where he elevated the sport to national prominence by being the first organization to televise tournaments. He also introduced the game to youth audiences through school-based programs.
A graduate of Fordham University, Michael spent a career as a tax auditor for the New York City Department of Finance before entering private practice as a tax preparer.
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MICHAEL WAS MY DAD. SAYING HIS NAME MAKES ME PROUD. IF YOU KNEW HIM, YOU WOULD SAY HE WAS LIKE SANTA CLAUS. A JOLLY GUY WITH A BIG HEART. MY DAD WAS A FIGHTER. NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM. HE ALWAYS GOT WHAT HE WANTED. MY DAD WAS THE HARDEST WORKING MAN. HE TOOK US ALL OVER THE WORLD. DAD WAS A KID AT HEART. HE RODE COASTERS WITH ME AND LYLA NO MATTER HOW SCARY THEY WERE. DAD WAS THERE WHEN LYLA AND I WERE BORN AND HELD US EVEN BEFORE MOM DID. DAD HARDLY EVER LEFT HOME WITHOUT MOM AND HE NEVER LET GO OF HER HAND. I HAVE LEARNED MANY THINGS FROM MY DAD. HOW TO RIDE A BIKE, HOW TO FIX THINGS AND HOW TO WORK ON CARS. I WILL BE A MAN SOON, AND I HOPE TO BE JUST LIKE MY DAD.
I WILL MISS YOU DAD, BUT
I'M HAPPY THAT THE CANCER CAN’T HURT YOU ANYMORE. I KNOW YOU’LL BE WITH ME IN MY HEART. THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME THIS LONG. I LOVE YOU DAD. YOUR “PUTO” , ROMAN 💚
Dad, words cannot explain the feeling of loosing your biggest supporter in life. i can’t explain how much i’m in denial. the reality of this hasn’t processed for me. it’s hard to accept that i won’t experience any of the small things in life with you, someone who guided me through life & watched me grow. someone who supported me through my biggest accomplishments, and comforted me during my downfalls. i didn’t make fatherhood easy, but no matter how many times i pushed you away; you stayed by my side, with my mistakes, big and small, it never changed your love for me. no matter how much i resented your judgment and had to face the life consequences, you were there waiting to help me back on my feet. i’m so thankful to have had a Dad to help me through my life like you did. from showing me right from wrong, to teaching me things i will use for the rest of my life. you never failed to be proud of me. you never failed to show me how proud you were to be MY DAD. every small step in my life was done with your help. you were so determined to watch me grow into the best person i could be; and with that, my accomplishments are dedicated to you. i will continue to make you proud. no matter where i am. please watch over me while i go through my life. continue to be with me as i grow. Dad you were the strongest person i’ve ever met, and always will be. for so many years you fought for your life, our family and everything in between. you never gave up on anything, and never backed down when you hit rough patches. Dad, I will never stop fighting for you!
I love you, your Sweet Pea,
Lyla 💖
Michael Magnaldi, you’ve changed my life forever.
You always challenged my intellect and made a point to teach me a lesson. So from this immense loss my forever love:
I've learned that it’s awful to have to live without the one person that you simply cannot live without. But that’s because it’s not living, it’s surviving.
I’ve learned that as a Mother, my grief is magnified by three, because I grieve not only for myself, but for our children.
I’ve learned that in the face of tragedy, a community comes together. There are great people in this world. They came to honor your life and carry me and our children through this heartbreak. Now we’re woven together like a tapestry.
I’ve learned that my tiny family are the most dependable, selfless people I’ll ever know… and I'd be lost without them.
I’ve learned that I have the greatest friends I could ever wish for, and this loss has created friendships that might not have ever existed. You left us, and we discovered that we needed each other.
I've learned that with grief comes longing. Longing for everything to be okay, to be as it was. I cry for the moments you'll miss. The graduations, the kid’s weddings and the grandchildren that we’ll likely have.
I’ve cried an ocean of tears because I dreamed of sitting on our porch and growing old with you, looking back on our lives with joy, thankfulness and pride. Now I’ll have to do that without you. But you know how responsible I am. So I’ve chosen to survive. I have to because our children need me. Not only because I’m their Mom, but because I knew you in a way that no one else did. I saw the quiet moments that you spent with them, staring at their little faces while they slept, drinking them in, memorizing every feature, saying “I love you” quietly in the night. I saw the pride in your eyes when you taught them something new. I know how much you sacrificed and were still willing to sacrifice for them. For us. I’ll tell Lyla & Roman, your Sweet pea and your Puto, that you’re my hero baby. You’re the bravest man I’ve ever known. You were a warrior and you fought! You did not lose, you just needed to rest.
I’m grateful for this beautiful life you gave us. You were the only man that ever made me feel beautiful and understand the true meaning of beauty. Shame on you for making me laugh & cry so hard! Thank you for leaving me your strength. Thank you for our babies. Your infectious smile is engraved in my heart. I’ll miss you everyday my beautiful husband. I hope you’ll visit me in my dreams. Michael, you will be my most treasured memory.
Ti amerò per sempre, Kiki ♥️
Michael, you were like a brother to me and an uncle to my children. A protective brother and uncle at that. Haha. You will be deeply missed and we will forever keep you in our hearts , minds, souls and spirits. May you Rest In Peace knowing that God will continue to watch over and protect your wife and my sister Kiki , and your children, my niece and nephew Lyla and Roman. ❤️🙏🏽
Our family has been blessed to know the Magnaldi family. We are thankful that we had the opportunity to know Mike and form a friendship with him. I have sweet memories of seeing him in the yard with his children and working on his cars. Our family is grateful to have known him. He will be fondly remember by bringing our neighborhood together through his life. Our family is committed to remember his life by living on his family.
Happy Anniversary Michael
You are my forever love ❤️
Happy Anniversary Dad!
Today you married Mommy!
We will always celebrate this special day!
We love you,
Lyla & Roman 💖💚
Our fondest memory of Michael was when he invited us over to meet our niece Lyla days after she was born. As always, he greeted us warmly but with an extra level of excitement as he introduced his baby girl whom he held in the palms of his hands. He was so tender and remarked, “she is such a miracle, so tiny”. He was completely in love and wanted us to be a part of her life. He told us that we needed to come closer as a family and watch her grow; and that’s what we did. Michael was someone that wanted to bring people together, especially those he loved. He was so full of life and wanted the same for others. In the end, Michael indeed did his very best for his loved ones, family, friends and strangers alike. "Live life and do your best" would summarize how he lived and his wishes for all those who knew him and all those will never have the pleasure to have known him. We wish our dear brother-in-law eternal peace and happiness, knowing that his values will live on in those that loved him. With loving kindness forever and ever, Nicole and David Maldonado
Kiki, Lyla, Roman & Family,
We are so very sad to hear of Mike’s passings s we extend heartfelt condolences.
We first met your family when our daughter began kindergarten with Roman. I ( Gina) recall seeing Kiki at events, and her personality and infectious energy would always make me laugh. We then had the pleasure of meeting Mike, who always had a smile and was equally as warm and friendly. We enjoyed chatting with you both at various events for the children at school.
We were invited to a wonderful Christmas party that Mike and Kiki hosted. They were the most gracious hosts, and treated us to a beautiful night of food, dancing, and treats for all the kids, given out by none other than Santa; aka Mike, with more joy and cheer to spread around than St.Nick himself. Mike was a generous and giving person.
We send prayers of strength and courage to Kiki and the children. May Mikes love continue to live in you and through you, in all that you do.
Eternal rest Mike , and may God hold Kiki and your children in the palms of his hands.
Tommy, Gina & family
Laura sanchez what can I say about my beautiful friend who I loved very much and going to miss dearly ..when my little girl hannah first met little Lyla at the time they went to Bronx house I had met my best friend Kiki my sister we became the best of friend over 10 ten years …we always spent time together at the house special times together laughing spending beautiful moments together …Michael was a beautiful person so sweet loving caring man he always was there for you no matter what always had a golden heart and Hannah and myself will miss mike dearly now you won’t be alone you’ll have my husband in heaven to keep you company like what you did for others I love you always love Lori and Hannah 🙏🙌😇❤️
We are deeply sorry for the loss of your dear husband and father Mike. Our prayers are with you all.
Mike, words cannot express how sad we are. As we speak of you, we always light up with a smile. That is the profound affect you had on our family. We will cherish all of memories we shared and you will be forever on our hearts. Fly among the angels Mike. Until we meet again.
Where do I even start I Was 16 When I Met Michael & Kiki They Literally Took Me In As A Babysitter & It Became More Than Just That Roman & Lyla Became My Siblings Kiki Became My Second Mother & Michael Was My Italian Dad lol I Literally Learned So Much From Michael So Many Things I Will Never Forget Spent Many Holidays Together So Much Love & Happiness Taught Me How To Drive Taught Me How To Read & Do Taxes Taught Me To Be Strong Taught Me To Be Fearless Endless Conversations Of What I Wanted To Be In Life Took Care Of Me As If I Was His Daughter Protected Me When I Worked For The Family You’re Truly Going To Be Missed We Will Never Forget How Amazing & Smart You Were Dad We Love You So So Much 🙁 You Took Me On My First Flight Ever We Had So Much Fun Endless Nights Of Laughter a Memory I will never forget
We Love You Dad, 🤞🏻🦋 Forever With Us 🥺
My love, today was Roman’s 12th bday. You’d be so proud of him baby. He spoke of you all evening. He loves his Dad ♥️
Michael is and will always be a very smart man!!!! I knew him for a while and I want to thank him for all of his help!!
Rip and God bless him and family
my dad was an amazing and he would always be there when i got up and there when i went to sleep. words can't explain his loss but i can sum up a few sentences to explain. Friday was suppose to be a happy day but it turned out to be the saddest day of my life. i couldn't handle the fact that my dad died. i was lost i needed my dad to guide my way back but he wasn't there. he was GONE. im sorry dad, i wanted to be there with you before you died so i could at least say goodbye and that i loved you but i wasn't there, so I'll say it now i love you dad, your pride and joy Roman alberto Magnaldi
Mike was a good friend to me and many other in the Paddleball community. It saddened me to hear of his passing. He was a good person. My condolences to his family.He will be missed dearly. May Mike be in God's light and grace as he sleeps in peace
Rest in Peace. Wish we could've made more noise.