Henry Vincent “Buddy” Maggio

Henry Vincent “Buddy” Maggio, age 94, of Natchitoches, LA passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception with Very Rev. Irion St. Romain celebrating.  Burial will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. 

Mr. Maggio was born into a close-knit Catholic, Italian family on December 21, 1929, to Sam and Carmelite Maggio.  He was a native and lifelong resident of Natchitoches, LA.  He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and Northwestern State College.  He met Nita Ann Perot while she was working at the Cane Theater in Natchitoches.  They were wed on May 13,1961, and together they owned and managed Maggio’s Package Store for over 40 years.  He proudly served his country in the Louisiana National Guard for 17 years. He was a devout member of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Woodmenlife Fraternal Organization, Natchitoches Genealogy and Historical Association, the North Louisiana Historical Association and a lifelong season ticket holder for Northwestern State University athletics.  Buddy loved his hometown of Natchitoches. He was named a Natchitoches Treasure in 2016 and was a noted local historian.  Community leaders looked to him when researching Natchitoches history and he was responsible for several of the historical markers in Natchitoches.  He also frequently contributed historical articles to The Natchitoches Times.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nita Ann Perot Maggio, parents Sam and Carmelite, and his siblings Rosalie Maggio Fulco, Joe Maggio, Charlie Maggio, Ned Maggio, Jeannette Maggio Gunter, Mary Maggio Willis, Sadie Maggio Dark, Grace (Sister Ann Carmel), Theresa Maggio Janes, and John Maggio.   

He is survived by his three children, Henry Vincent Maggio, Jr. and his wife, Janna, Joseph Christopher Maggio and his wife Jennifer, and Mary Carmella Maggio McCart and her husband Jon; nine grandchildren, Mary Beth Maggio (Ben Dempe), Henry Vincent Maggio, III (Elizabeth), Sam Maggio, Joe Maggio, Melanie Maggio, Scott Maggio (Mary-Katherine), Emily Maggio, Garrett McCart, and Mason McCart; one great granddaughter, Magnolia Anne Maggio, sisters-in-law, Billie Maggio, Carolyn Perot, and Anna Peske (Frank) and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be grandsons, Vincent Maggio, Sam Maggio, Joe Maggio, Scott Maggio, Garrett McCart, Mason McCart; and nephews Ricky Walmsley, Jimmy Gunter and David Hadden. Honorary Pallbearers include Paul Keyser, Jr., his nephews and the hundreds of dedicated employees of Maggio’s over the years. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Sam and Carmelite Maggio Scholarship at the Northwestern State University Foundation, St. Mary’s Catholic School, or a charity of your choice.