John J. Magner, Jr., age 87, of Fairfield, died Sunday, June 26, 2011 peacefully at home with his family. Born in Bridgeport on January 21, 1924, son of the late John J. Magner Sr. and Sarah Monahan Magner, he was a longtime Fairfield resident who always remained proud of his roots in Bridgeport's East Side. John was the devoted husband of the late Mary Grogan Magner for 52 years, and beloved father of their 5 children. He was also predeceased by his sister Katherine Bielen. He is survived by his children and grandchildren; Maureen Magner of Huntington and her companion Jack Rushen of Stratford; John J. Magner III (Jack) and his wife Maye, and children, Molly and James of Duxbury, MA, and Ryan and his wife Keri Magner of South Boston, MA; Mary Ellen Rogers and daughter Erin Rogers and her fiancé Austin Ray and son Colin Rogers all of Atlanta, GA; Daniel P. Magner and his wife Kathleen and children Daniel P., Veronica and Brendan of Easton; Kate O'Brien and her husband Bill and children Lyddy, Maggie and Timothy of Cumming, GA, also survived by his cherished in laws; Margaret Maney, Dr. David Grogan, and Kay Sorge and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Magner was a graduate of Warren Harding High School, Bentley College and the University of Bridgeport. He retired in 1987 after 37 years with United Technologies (Sikorsky Aircraft and Chance Vaught), as a supervisor in the Finance Department. Mr. Magner was a proud U.S. Veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy 1943-1946, on a submarine tender in the Atlantic Fleet. He was an active volunteer, serving many years as the treasurer of the former Murphy-Curren Catholic War Veterans and as financial director for the former Friends United for Notre Dame High. He was an enthusiastic member of the Gaelic-American Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Knights of Columbus. Mr. Magner was a lifelong learner, full of curiosity, and an avid genealogist and gardener with a great appreciation of music and the arts. With his outgoing personality and engaging smile, John found many enduring friendships throughout his life. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation of the loving care provided to their father by his many caregivers and especially the Vitas Hospice Home Care Team. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made in his memory to: Yale Cancer Center Melanoma Program, c/o Yale Cancer Center, Office of Development, P. O. Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519-0611 or Bring Change 2 Mind, www.bringchange2mind.org. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:00a.m., meeting directly in Notre Dame of Easton Church, 655 Morehouse Road, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Friends may greet the family at the church following the Mass. Interment will be private. Arrangements by the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com