James E. Magner Jr.

I admired James Magner's poetry. I never met the man. Never had him for a teacher. My loss. Recently I heard a story from a good friend who both knew Mr. Magner and learned from him in class. My friend told me that Mr. Magner was the reason I won the poetry prize at JCU the second time back in 1965. I spent only three semesters at John Carroll before flunking out. I was awarded the prize first year but was enrolled only first semester of second year, during which I had submitted additional...

Was a great dude..a bit eccentric, but of course for a gifted and learned man. Had more than a few meals with him. Loved his house ..oozed with literature. And he got me into the Quarterly and to persue a life of peotry..not just writing and reading poetry, but living it. Much love, brotha man. Pax tibi

I had James Magner in 1960 as freshman at what was the South Hills Catholic in 1960-1961. I believe it was his first year and I believe his last as a high school teacher before moving on to the University of Pitttsburgh. He had a transformative effect on me that has lasted through the years. I treasure my copy of his book “Till No Light Escapes”. His humor, his passion and his sense of connection with his students would help define me as a college professor.


When I learned...

We all called him "Daddy Mags", a derivation of the name hung on a popular Cleveland Indians outfielder back in the Sixties. I took Daddy Mags for two classes and to this day feel cheated at not having taken him for more. I remember him as that rumpled big guy with the floaty eye who mesmerized me in poetry class. I never thought he knew who I was until one day I met him in a record store on Coventry Road in Cleveland Hts. I was out of JCU about five years at this time. I went over to him as...

I think of Dr. Magner often. He was my master's essay advisor and always encouraging of my teaching and my creative life. May his family know that he will be remembered as mentor, encourager, teacher, and friend.

I knew James when I was a graduate student in English at John Carroll University, 1963-65. Wile I never had him for a course, I admired both the man and his passionate spiritual poetry; subsequently, as academic dean in New York, I invited him to be the guest poet at the annual lecture on Creativity and The Imagination at Wadhams-Hall Seminary College in Ogdensburg, NY, circa 1986 0r 1987. He was well received. How could he not be with such a gift for infusing compassion into his poems! I...

I last remember Dr. Magner when I as wandering alone at an alumni reunion because none of my friends or classmates showed up. I ran into him and we had a good time at the reunion together. He was a good teacher and a great friend; he had a wonderful way of being there when you needed a friend and making you feel comfortable and a little less alone. I was sorry to hear recently of his health problems and am deeply sorry to hear of his passing. All of us who knew him shall miss him. My own...

Dear Maureen and Family;

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your father. He was a great man. Take care and God Bless.