EDWARD MARSHALL MAGUIRE (1915 - 2005)

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EDWARD MARSHALL MAGUIRE (1915 - 2005) Peacefully, on Sunday, June 5, 2005 with family at his side, Ed Maguire passed away at the age of 89. Left to cherish his memory are his brother Jack (Doreen); sons, John (Susan) and Douglas (Becky); and daughter Barbara (Ken); and grandchildren, Sean, Nicholas, Duncan, Katie, Geordie, Lindsay and Lauren. His wife Alison; parents, Marshall and Minota; and brother Clifford predeceased him. Born in Melville, SK, Ed grew up in Winnipeg, graduating from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate at the age of 16 in 1931. Soon after he began a rewarding and fulfilling career in education which started in one room school houses in rural Manitoba, in locales such as Hodgson, Plumas and Ochre River, before he obtained appointments in Winnipeg. His teaching career was interrupted by service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. Following retirement from the service in 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant he returned to Winnipeg where he completed degrees in Arts and Education and resumed his teaching career. In 1952 after a short engagement, Ed married Alison Gemmel and together they travelled to Kabul, Afghanistan (honeymoon) where Ed served as Director of the Afghan Institute of Technology for a three-year period. Kabul was a phenomenal experience for Ed and his new bride. It was here they started a family (their sons John and Douglas were born in Afghanistan) and developed friendships that lasted a lifetime. Returning from Kabul, he settled his family in St. Vital on Glen Avenue, where they resided for the next 45 years. He furthered his professional career in Winnipeg 1 School Division serving as Vice Principal or Principal at a number of schools including Aberdeen, Norquay, Luxton, and Lord Selkirk. His leadership and contributions to the profession were admired by his colleagues and benefited the staff and students in the schools where he served as Principal. He served on the executive of the Winnipeg Teachers' Association for a number of years including a term as President. He retired from his final post as Principal of Isaac Brock in 1977 after 37 years of commitment to teaching and education in Manitoba. Ed was a faithful disciple of Christ. An active member of St. Margaret's Church for over 75 years he served on Vestry, Missions committees and for many years was Superintendent of the Sunday School. He served on the board of the South American Missionary Society and was a committed supporter of the Church Army Associates of Canada. Together with his wife Alison, he was an avid supporter of Inter-Serv, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Manitoba Pioneer Camp on Shoal Lake, Inter-Serv and Whiteshell Keswick Fellowship at Star Lake. Family was a great part of Ed's life. With the same sense of adventure that took him to Afghanistan he led his family on camping trips throughout Canada and the United States, on canoe trips in the Whiteshell and Lake of the Woods. In order to ski with his kids he took up downhill skiing at age 55. In his retirement years he travelled with his wife to the UK and to New Zealand and Australia. Following the death of Alison in 2000 he moved to Wilkes Avenue, made many new friends and lived independently until very recently. His zest for life continued, as he eagerly awaited the summer weeks spent at his children's cottages in the Whiteshell and Shoal Lake, where he handed out gifts to his grandchildren on his birthday - one dollar for each of his years. Ed was a quiet and observant man, who mentored friends of all ages, counting among his friends children as young as five. He dispensed his own unique sense of good judgement, perspective and advice with the patience and insight of someone with great life experience. His natural self-assurance, his openness and his sure and abiding respect for all are his enduring legacy. The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to those who visited and comforted Ed in hospital and special thanks to Drs. Rabson, Kroeker and McLeod as well as the caring staff of A4 and the CCU of the Health Sciences Centre. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at St. Margaret's Anglican Church, Westminster Avenue and Ethelbert Street on Thursday, June 9, at 2:00 p.m. Donations in Ed's memory may be made to Manitoba Pioneer Camp or Whiteshell Keswick Fellowship. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BLVD. 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 08, 2005