Anthony Maglica - Early Life and Entrepreneurship

Early Life and Entrepreneurship

Although born in New York, Maglica grew up on the island of Zlarin, which is off the coast of Croatia (then Yugoslavia). During the Great Depression, his family returned to their homeland. World War II ravaged Croatia, and in 1950 he returned to the United States, settling in Ontario, California. Speaking little English, he obtained work as a machinist. While working there, he learned that one of his bosses operated a side business machining hydraulic parts. Tony learned of a metal lathe for sale for $1000 and convinced the seller to accept a $125 down payment, most of his money at the time, with the remainder being paid off with monthly payments.

That business grew into his own machine shop which he incorporated in 1975 called Mag Instrument Inc. Here he met Claire Halasz, his future partner in life and in business, when he hired her to decorate his machine shop. Although they didn't marry, Claire would eventually reside with him and take his surname, and they became known in California's social circles as "The Husband and Wife who ran Mag Instrument Inc". Claire also had two sons, Stephen and Christopher, and one daughter, Jackie, who would come to know Tony as their stepfather.