Paul R. Maugeri, 62, trade show manager who fought MS
He marshaled his strong religious faith and a rigorous workout regimen to fight the disease, his son said.
Paul R. Maugeri, 62, of Broomall, a trade show manager and former president of Marple Township Little League, died Friday, April 7, at home in his sleep, his family said.
Mr. Maugeri had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1980. He fought the illness by adhering to a rigorous workout regimen and marshaling his strong religious faith. "He used his faith as a guiding light which kept him positive, and he was always able to see the beauty in life," his family said in a tribute. "He also loved comedy, which allowed him to keep a situation light, no matter how trying the times."
As a result, he was an inspiration to everyone he met, said son Gregory, adding, "My brother and I have pretty big shoes to fill."
Known to friends as "Moose," Mr. Maugeri was born in Philadelphia to Sebastian and Gertrude Maugeri. He lived in Southwest Philadelphia before moving to Broomall.
He graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in 1972 and earned an associate degree in business from St. Joseph's University in the mid-1970s. His first job was at a neighborhood gas station, where he developed a passion for fixing motorcycles and cars.
For 35 years ending in 2010, when he retired for health reasons, Mr. Maugeri was a trade show logistics manager for Berm Studios in Yeadon. He worked with his brother, Bobby, at the firm, which specializes in trade show production and promotional exhibiting.
When not at work, Mr. Maugeri was an avid baseball fan who was devoted to community service. He merged the dual passions by becoming president of the Marple Township Little League. He was so respected by league officials that a Broomall ball field was dedicated in his name. Although Mr. Maugeri was moved by the honor, his "true joy was seeing the smiles on the kids' faces after a game," his family wrote.
Mr. Maugeri was an Eagles fan and 40-year season ticket holder who followed the football team as it moved through three stadiums. "He took me and my brother to games, starting when we were 10," Gregory Maugeri said. "It was a bonding thing."
He enjoyed spending summers at Bayberry Cove in Marmora, outside Ocean City, N.J., where he soaked up the sun and hosted his entire family for weekend parties.
A longtime member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mr. Maugeri raised funds by creating a team called the Wacky Walkers. He said in a statement on the society's website that when he was diagnosed in 1980, it was the "Dark Ages" in the areas of research, diagnosis, and treatment. He credited the society with bringing the illness to public light.
He told his son that research was important. "Even if it was not him that got cured, he wanted it for the families of other patients, to be healed," his son said.
In addition to his son and brother, Mr. Maugeri is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patricia Dempsey Maugeri; son Brandon; a brother; and nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life and Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square. Burial is in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.
Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute, Penn Treaty Park Place, 341 N. Delaware Ave., Suite 213, Philadelphia 19125, or via msresearchinstitute.org.