MAGNER FUNERAL HOME - Key Persons


James H. Magner

James H. Magner from Norwalk, CT established the Magner Funeral Home in 1912. As owner of Magner Livery, Mr. Magner assisted local funeral directors for several years prior to opening his own funeral business. The original funeral home was a store front shop on Main Avenue in Norwalk. The tradition at the time was "waking" in the family home, with Mr. Magner and his staff facilitating all that encompassed. In 1934 Mr. Magner turned the business over to his two sons, J. Clete Magner and Paul F. Magner, who moved the business to its current location at 12 Mott Ave, Norwalk, CT marking a change in modern funeral services. This building serves as a location for families to receive friends and a place to conduct a funeral service. Clete Magner died in 1941, leaving Paul to run the business until his retirement in 1965. In 1965 until 1982, Paul's oldest son, James P. Magner, ran the funeral business. Upon James' death in 1982, his son Michael J. Magner took over the business and has since been joined by his brother James Paul Magner, both representing the 4th generation of Magners serving the Norwalk and surrounding areas. Magner Funeral Home has been a member of the Selected Independent Funeral Homes, by invitation since 1978.

James P. Magner

James (Jay) was born and raised in Norwalk, CT and now resides in Wilton, CT with his wife Lisa (Lombardo) Magner. He graduated from Norwalk High School and then continued his education at The American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service where he graduated Cum Laude. After graduating, Jay followed his father's footsteps and joined the family business to help the members of his community in their time of need. Jay has two daughters, Michelle and Jessica, who are both married and have made Jay and Lisa very proud grandparents. Jay and his wife are members of St. Jerome Church, Shore & Country Club, and The South Norwalk Boat Club. In his spare time, Jay enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, boating, and attending charitable events.

Maribeth Magner Hemingway

Maribeth, our office manager and bookkeeper, is Michael and Jay's sister. She is a valuable resource to Magners and the first caring voice you will hear if you call on a weekday morning. Maribeth lives in Sandy Hook and has been married to her husband Joe for 38 years. They have two daughters, Sarah and Maggie who are married. Maribeth graduated from Central Catholic High School and St. Michael's College in Vermont. She is member of the Newtown Strong Therapy Dogs, and volunteers with The American Red Cross and Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity, where she is an active events coordinator for her community. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, playing tennis, gardening, and loves animals. Highly family oriented, Maribeth will be there to help as your first contact with our firm.

Melissa Heaphy

Melissa resides in Monroe. A licensed funeral director since 1994, she attended Housatonic Community College and Fairfield University, before graduating with high honors from Briarwood College. She also holds a CT Life Insurance license. Past-president of AARP-Widowed Persons Service of Greater Bridgeport and recipient of their "Rose of Hope" Award, Melissa is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary-Unit 176, and volunteers with CT Emergency Response Teams and local animal rescue groups. She enjoys guest-speaking and community education, as well as cats, music and travel.

Michael J. Magner

Job Titles:
  • Retired
Mike resides in Weston, CT with his wife Leslie. They have two children Steven and Julie. He is a 1975 graduate of Fairfield Prep and a 1979 graduate of Georgetown University. In the fall of 1979, he enrolled at the American Academy-McAllister Institute of Funeral Directing to earn his Funeral Director's License. He joined his father Jim full-time in the fall of 1980, and when his father passed suddenly in 1982, assumed running the business. In his spare time, Mike enjoys bike riding, kayaking in Long Island Sound, live music, helping out with community services and most of all, spending time with his family and walking his dog at Cranbury Park.

William D. Tiani

Will resides in Norwalk, CT with his wife Michelle Magner Tiani and his daughters Scarlett Jo and Cora Jean. He grew up in Norwalk graduating from Norwalk High School in 2005, attending The University of Tampa, then continuing his education at The American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2011. Will enjoys being a member in the family business and working to help others within the community. He is the fifth generation serving our community. In his spare time you can find Will out on the boat, making furniture in his workshop or spending time with his girls. Will and his family are members at Shore and Country Club and St. Jerome Church.