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HPBA is very sad to report the death of William J. "Pat" Magnotti on July 5th in Pittsburgh, PA at the age of 69. Pat was the first president, along with Mick Maier, of the Wood Heating Alliance (WHA) in 1980, the founding organization of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.
William J. "Pat" Magnotti 1940 - 2010
Pat opened the first of four retail stores, The Fireplace & Patioplace, in 1968 in his home town of Pittsburgh. Prior to his start in the fireplace business, he worked in his father's marble and stone business, Magnotti & Son, founded by his father in 1950 and now run by Pat's oldest son Bill. Pat, with his wife Marilyn, built The Fireplace & Patioplace to be one of the leading retail stores in the hearth industry. Today, their son Stephen, daughter Marci Buckiso and son-in-law Mike Buckiso run the operation. Pat retired from his retail business in 2000, but did not retire from the hearth industry.
Pat served on many HPA committees after he was president, including as chairman of the Expo Committee in 1996. He was instrumental in setting up HearthMasters, a social organization to help those who have had long careers in the hearth, patio and barbecue industries stay in touch. Most recently and up until he died, Pat served on the steering committee of HearthMasters and organized the History Wall at the 2010 HPBExpo in Orlando. He unselfishly gave time and counsel to HPBA and attended the Expo in March along with his children and several grandchildren.
Pat's son Stephen has followed in his father's footsteps and was HPBA chairman in 2007 and is currently the Expo Committee chairman.
Pat loved his business and the hearth, patio and barbecue industry family, but his pride and ultimate joy were his three children and eight grandchildren. His face lit up and eyes sparkled when he told you about a grandchild's latest sports accomplishment. He will be missed tremendously by everyone who knew him.
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