Christopher Romaio Magnarelli, 39, from Somerville and formerly Duxbury MA, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025 surrounded by the everlasting love of his mom, dad, and brother. He fought a brave and resilient battle with liver and kidney disease, but in the end the disease was too powerful.
Chris was born in Boston, spent his early years in Waltham MA, and moved to Duxbury when he was 7. His school years were filled with youth sports, music, and gathering data of all kinds in his almost-photographic memory. His knowledge of baseball, geography, and music trivia would become legendary among his family and friends and would help him win school geography bees and bar trivia contests. His favorite sport to play was baseball, and his favorite highlights were hitting home runs in both his 11 year old Major League championship game and the 12 year old Cal Ripken State Championship game. He played varsity baseball at Duxbury High and was also a youth baseball umpire for many summers, a job that he thoroughly enjoyed.
Chris was a percussionist for 4 years in the Duxbury High Wind Ensemble and performed at Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall and Disney World. He played drum set for the Duxbury High Jazz band and many basement bands at his parents’ house including PIL, and Emilbus. Following graduation from Duxbury High in 2004, he attended and graduated from Providence College in 2008 with a degree in Political Science. He was always ready for a debate. Chris was an engaged fan of any and all Boston sports teams, especially the Sox and the Celtics.
Chris had numerous jobs, working at several Boston universities and many corporations, but his career aspirations were always in fraud detection. His favorite job was working in the fraud department at Zipcar. He regaled his family with bizarre tales of rentals gone bad and subsequent dealings with law enforcement.
Chris’ passion for music continued throughout his life, with over 350 live concerts attended by jam bands such as Phish, moe., Umphrey’s McGee, and Goose. His concert family meant the world to him and supported him throughout his life. He also used his unique talents of humor, insight, and perspective on life to prepare and perform stand-up comedy at Johnny D’s in Somerville MA. He made the Cambridge/Somerville area his home since 2010.
Chris is survived by his loving mom and dad, Pamela and John Magnarelli of Plymouth, MA and his brother Patrick Magnarelli, wife Brogan and precious niece Mila and nephew Romi from Glen Ellyn IL. Also surviving are aunts and uncles Richard Magnarelli and Loretta Spinale from Quincy MA, Geoff and Ronda Paufve from Sterling IL, Mark Miller from Naples, FL, Bill Palmer of Plantation FL and many cousins and great close friends. He was preceded by adoring grandparents Romaio and Jennie Magnarelli of Quincy MA and Kenneth and Lois Miller of Sterling IL and aunt Maryann Palmer.
Services for Christopher will take place on Thursday September 18th at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, Kingston, MA. Visitation will be from 3:00-5:30 pm with service immediately following at 5:30 pm. Donations for music education in Chris’ name can be made to The Mockingbird Foundation, or by mail at The Mockingbird Foundation, 12407 Willow Grove Court, Moorpark, CA 93021-2758. In addition please play the song, Beautiful Boy, by John Lennon and give someone a long hug.
Christopher Romaio Magnarelli, 39, from Somerville and formerly Duxbury MA, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025 surrounded by the everlasting love of his mom, dad, and brother. He fought a brave and resilient battle with liver and kidney disease, but in the end the disease was too powerful.
Chris was
Thursday, September 18, 2025
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Shepherd's Funeral Home
216 Main Street Kingston, MA 02364
Thursday, September 18, 2025
5:30 pm
Shepherd's Funeral Home
216 Main Street Kingston, MA 02364