With deep love, the family of Felix Magnotta, 88 of Washington announce his passing on Sunday, July 26, 2026, following a brief acute illness. He will be remembered as a dedicated father and husband, a respected professor and generous friend. Born March 31, 1938, in Guardia dei Lombardi, Provincia Avellino, Italy, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Angela (Sgobbo) Magnotta.

Seeking economic opportunity, Felix immigrated to Monaca, PA at the age of eighteen with his family after graduating from the Istituto Luigi Amabile in Avellino, a technical secondary school, with certification as a civil engineer. Self-supporting, he graduated with honors from Geneva College with a B.S. in Mathematics in 1961, and went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1963. After two years as an instructor in Mathematics at Ohio University, he joined the Mathematics faculty at Washington & Jefferson College in 1965, where he attained full professorship in 1998, and professor emeritus status in 2004, after his retirement in 2001. He was held in high esteem by his students for the rigor of his courses as well as his humor.

Felix first saw his future wife, Maria Bonanni, at a youth dance just after his arrival in the US. Although she was too young to date and he was busy pursuing his education, they never forgot each other. Having finished his Master’s degree, Felix formally asked her mother’s permission to be her suitor. Within a year they were married at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa, PA on January 4, 1964. Together they raised three children who survive: Angela Magnotta Adamsky of Washington, Salvatore (Mary) Magnotta of Washington, and Peter (Elizabeth) Magnotta of Eighty-Four. In 1985 the family opened Brothers Pizza Italian Restaurant on the corner of Main and Beau Streets, which Felix operated with Maria, his children and his brother-in-law, Vince Bonanni, until 2007. The pizza, strombolis, soup and lunch specials were legendary, as was his generosity to many of his employees over the years.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Felix was an avid golfer and member of the Washington Country Club for two decades. The highlights of his golf career were winning a league championship at Dogwood Hills with his son, Peter, and the hole-in-one he hit at Chippewa. He was equally passionate about gardening, cooking and wine-making, and took great delight in sharing his produce, wine and fig trees with friends and family. He enjoyed preparing both new and traditional dishes for dinners with his family. His other interests included horse-racing, professional wrestling and racket ball. He also had a deep affection for his avian companions, including parakeets, cockatiels and a conure, most notably his cherished birds Lucky and Sweetie. A devout Catholic, Felix was an active member of St. James Parish, attending Immaculate Conception Church, since his arrival in Washington.

Surviving in addition to his wife and children are one grand-daughter, Mia Angelina Magnotta, daughter of Salvatore; one brother, Anthony (Marlene) Magnotta of Monaca; one sister, Eleanor (Butch) Coladonato of Monaca, as well as two nephews and one niece.

Preceding him in death in addition to his parents are one brother, Michael (Elkie) Magnotta formerly of Toronto, Canada, and one nephew, Joseph Magnotta.

Friends will be received on Monday, August 3, 2026 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 P.M. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Owner/Supervisor, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Holly Renay Warco, Director. A Departing Prayers of Transfer Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, 119 W. Chestnut St., Washington with the Rev. Alec Scheuer as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray, PA. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com

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