Stephen Adolph Magnacca was born December 10, 1902 in Winnipeg, MB. He joined the Winnipeg Highland Cadets in 1914, and at the age of 15, he added two years to his age and joined the Winnipeg Light Infantry. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant on June 15, 1923. In 1933, he was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1956, he was made an honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 26th Field Artillery Regiment; he was made a Colonel in 1967.
Magnacca married Grace Rosina Jones in 1927 and together they had two children: Patricia and Allan. Grace Jones was born in Cardiff, Wales on November 22, 1901. She came to Winnipeg as a child. For a few years before her marriage she worked as the circulation manager of The Nor'West Farmer. Members of St. Matthew's Church, Grace Magnacca was active in the Anglican Church Women of Canada (ACW). Following her husband's death she moved to Winnipeg. Grace Magnacca died in Winnipeg, MB on December 20, 2004.
The Maganacca family lived in Winnipeg until Magnacca's military career took him to Brandon in 1940; his family followed in 1942. The Magnacca's ran an Officer's Kit Shop and then in 1947, opened a real estate business named Magnacca Agencies.
Magnacca served two terms as Mayor of Brandon (1961-1969). He was also President of the Assiniboine Historical Society. For meritorious community service, Magnacca was given a Manitoba Golden Boy Award (1969) and a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.
Stephen Magnacca died on August 4, 1980 in Brandon, MB. He is commemmorated by Magnacca Crescent in Brandon and the Magnacca Research Centre at the Daly House Museum. He was elected a Life member of the Union of Manitoba Municipalities and in 1973, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of Mayor Stephen Magnacca and his wife Grace Magnacca dressed in period costumes for Canada's Centennial in 1967.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the Manitoba Historical Society website (http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/magnacca_sa.shtml) and the December 31, 1969 Brandon Sun article Experience of being the wife of the mayor has brought satisfaction to Mrs. Magnacca.
Photograph shows a crowded and muddy Brandon street. A military parade consisting of a band and mounted cavalry fill the street. A banner extends across the street reading: Brandon Heartily Wecomes Her Returning Heros.
Grace Rosina Magnacca (nee Jones) was born on November 22, 1922 in Cardiff, Wales. Her family came to Winnipeg in 1911. Grace graduated from Dominion Business College and worked at Stovel Advocate and NorWest Famer until she married Stephen Magnacca in 1927. Stephen Adolph Magnacca was born on October 12, 1902 in Winnipeg, MB and he received his education in the city. Steve's miltary career began in 1914 when he joined the Winnipeg Highland Cadets and for more than 50 years he served in both the active and reserve army. He was made Hon. Colonel of the 26th Field Regiment in 1967.
Following their marraige, the Magnacca's lived in Winnipeg with their children Patricia and Allan, until Steve's military career took them to Brandon. Upon arriving in Brandon in 1940, Steve opened the A4 Training Camp. Following the Second World War he was transferred from active service to the militia where he served as hospital manager with the Department of Veteran Affairs. After a year he left the position to go into business; his business interests included real estate, insurance and general contracting. Steve also served as Mayor of Brandon from 1962-1970. During his tenure as mayor, the new city hall, the Keystone Centre and the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorim were constructed. He also worked on the development of Brandon's industrial park and the housing subdivisions of Kircaldy Heights and Riverheights. With her business background, Grace assisted her husband in his various roles.
Both Magnaccas were active in the community and St. Matthew's Cathedral. Steve was past president of the Manitoba Real Estate Association, later receiving lifetime membership. He was past president of the Brandon Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion Brandon Branch No. 3, and the Assiniboine Historical Society, as well as president of the Brandon Museum, a former director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in Brandon and a former treasurer of the Brandon Progressive Conservative Association. In 1973, Steve was named to the Order of Canada.
Stephen Magnacca died on August 4, 1980 in Brandon, MB. In 1983, Grace moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to family. Grace Magnacca died on December 20, 2004 in Winnipeg, MB. They are both buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Grace Magnacca about the history of the Magnacca family. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for both Magnaccas. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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