Duncan Maginnis

Duncan Hugh Maginnis died Friday, December 6, 2024 in New York City. He was graduated from St. Paul's School in Covington, Louisiana and Louisiana State University, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Duncan lived in New York City where he worked as an editor for House and Garden Magazine. He had a lifelong enthusiasm for collecting and restoring 1950's Ford-Mercury cars. Duncan was the author of a respected architecture blog, A Residential Legacy of Historic Los Angeles, that reflects not only his passion for architecture history but his talent as a dogged researcher. Through this research, he also chronicled the history of his paternal family home in his blog, House History, 925 Burdette, New Orleans.

Duncan is survived by his husband, Ogden Starr; his aunt, Mary Louise Wilson; his siblings; Malcolm Maginnis, Jr. (Ron Erath) and Ruth Blum (the late Rick), nieces and nephews; Kingsley Blum (Jim Parker), Wilson Blum (Jess), Banc Jones (Morgan), Christopher Jones (Penelope), Christina Starr (Karen Alroy) and Jennifer Starr (Sam Siegel). He is predeceased by his parents; Malcolm and Helen (Taffy) Maginnis and his much loved dog Lola.

Duncan was beloved by his many friends for his quiet grace and thoughtfulness. Quick to laugh and with a subtle dry wit, Duncan was always ready to share interesting stories often about social history, New York life, architecture or his beloved New Orleans and frequently followed by a good book recommendation.

Celebrations of Duncan's life will be held in New Orleans in early March and in Salisbury, Connecticut when Spring comes.