Boston, MA (June 28, 2023) – Louis and Anthony Maglione of Malden, MA, have bequeathed GBH $6 million, the largest unrestricted gift in GBH’s history. The gift to GBH, which represents the brothers’ combined life savings, allows GBH to apply the funds as needed at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
Anthony Maglione passed away on March 12, 2021, at the age of 70. Louis Maglione passed away on November 19, 2019, at 67. Born and raised in Malden, the brothers never married and lived in the house they grew up in until their health declined. The brothers enjoyed local politics, town events, the Boston Red Sox – and GBH. The brothers were lifelong GBH viewers, especially fond of documentaries, including AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’s history programming.
Family friend Linda Giallongo said the Magliones enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, and that their gift to GBH was a way to give back to their community.
“They thought their gift to GBH would be good for everyone. They wanted the money to help GBH continue to produce its programming,” said Giallongo. “That meant a lot to them.”
The Maglione gift will support local community outreach, including events and programming at the GBH Boston Public Library Studio, innovation in content distribution, and, among other things, GBH News' digital transformation.
Anthony Maglione was a 1968 graduate of Malden High School and he worked at the Gillette Company in North Andover for 25 years. In his free time, he enjoyed watching baseball, particularly cheering on the Boston Red Sox. Anthony loved going to Fenway Park and had a deep knowledge of the team and its history. Anthony also had a passion for the stock market and was happy to impart investment advice to anyone he met.
Louis Maglione graduated from Don Bosco High School in East Boston where he excelled on the track team. After high school, Louis joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served during the Vietnam War era , and was later discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant. A graduate of Lowell College, he retired from the Veterans Administration in Jamaica Plain. Like his brother Anthony, Louis was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. He was a member of the Revere Italian American Post, where he served as adjutant. He often carried a dictionary in case he came across a word he didn’t know. He, too, enjoyed researching stocks and investment opportunities.
“We are honored by the trust that Anthony and Louis Maglione have placed in us with this wonderful gift,” said Susan Goldberg, President and CEO of GBH. “An unrestricted grant allows us to direct the funds in the ways that will have the most significant impact, strengthening the organization for the future and helping us reach new audiences. We hope this gift will inspire others and highlight the deep level of public trust that GBH has with its audience.”
About GBH
GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH produces digital and broadcast programming that engages, illuminates and inspires, through drama and science, history, arts, culture and journalism. GBH is the creator of such signature programs as MASTERPIECE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and Arthur and Molly of Denali, and a catalog of streaming series, podcasts and on-demand video. GBH’s television channels include GBH 2, GBH 44, GBH Kids and national services GBH WORLD and Create. With studios and a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7; CRB Classical 99.5; CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station, and as a partner to NEPM in Springfield. Dedicated to making media accessible to and representative of our diverse culture, GBH is a pioneer in delivering media to audience members who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired. With PBS LearningMedia, GBH creates curriculum-based digital content for educators nationwide. GBH’s local programming includes Boston Public Radio, Greater Boston, Stories from the Stage, Basic Black and High School Quiz Show. GBH has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital and journalism awards. Find more information at gbh.org.
