Michael Evan Magbie
Jan. 17, 1947 – Feb. 9, 2015
Michael was born and raised in Cambridge, Mass.
His parents, Hugh and Anne Magbie, were pioneers in the Boston area. Although Boston was very far north, an ugly segregation permeated the area. We called it “de facto segregation” and it was real.
Cambridge schools were integrated, but the Boston schools were not. It was always understood that white kids would go to prep school then to college and black kids would go to technical school and then get a job.
Michael's parents fought against this segregation. After their children were done with grade school, they decided to send them – first Hugh and then Michael – to The Meeting School, a four-year coeducational Quaker prep school in Rindge, New Hampshire.
Michael thrived in that environment, as there were no racial barriers, and Mike was free to be himself. Though it was a small school of only 40 students, Michael created dozens of close relationships that lasted throughout his life.
After graduating from The Meeting School, Michael did a short stint at Parsons College in Iowa. He returned to Cambridge for a while and then set off to “go West” with his dear friend from childhood, Paul Hughes. They ended up in Berkeley, Calif., of all places.
Soon, Michael met Anne Johnstone from Memphis and they were married and had two beloved children, Miles and Kimberly. Michael was close and proud of his children and their children.
Michael was successful in the software industry. Many of the companies he worked for flourished in the new, emerging marketplace. During this time Michael later married Barbara Dunfield and lived in Marin County, Calif.
After Mike retired, he moved to Indio, Calif., to be with his partner, Suzanne Berg. They loved the desert and spent much of their time exploring the Salton Sea and Joshua Tree National Monument.
Together they adopted a dog named Benji, who had been abandoned in the desert. Mike was devoted to Suzanne. After her untimely death, Benji continued to be Mike's constant companion and gave him much joy throughout the remainder of his life.
After Suzanne's passing, Michael moved back to Nice, Calif., and lived close to Clear Lake with its beautiful views. He loved the beauty of the lake; whether it was stormy or clear, the water and mountains beyond gave him great serenity.
Michael had many passions. He was a fantastic soccer player and fervent soccer fan. He practiced with the Cal soccer team, and was so talented that he was accepted by the U.S. Olympic Soccer team.
Mike also loved to play tennis, often waking early in the day to play tennis with friends. Michael appreciated beautiful cars and owned a number of them over the years, whether it was a BMW, Mercedes, Porsche or Jaguar.
Unknown to many, Michael was a musician. He played drums, and later played African thumb keyboard, but mostly played harmonica. He would often sit in with visiting bands who were performing around the lake at clubs. His favorite joint was the Blue Wing, where every year Mike would attend and sometimes perform at the Blue Wing Blues Festival.
Michael was skilled in communicating with folks. His laugh, his smile and his sense of humor, which was over the rooftop, put everyone around him at ease. Michael questioned the status quo and often challenged us with his deep questions. He stood for justice, peace and dignity for all.
Near the end of Michael's life, because of all the medical issues surrounding him, he would often say that he was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” He passed away peacefully in his sleep with his dog Benji by his side.
Mike is survived by his son, Miles Magbie, and daughter-in-law, Samia; his daughter, Kimberly; his grandchildren, Malia, Makena, Malik and Jalen; his great-granddaughter, Gabriella; his brother, Hugh, and sister-in-law, Mary, and their children. Mike also leaves behind many close and dear lifelong friends.
Michael may have left us in body, but, never, never will his gracious and bountiful spirit depart.
At noon on Saturday, April 11, there will be a gathering at Limantour Beach in Point Reyes National Park in Marin County. They will begin the celebration around 1 p.m. when all have gathered. Please bring refreshments, blankets, chairs, etc. If anyone has a portable CD player please bring it so they can play some Little Walter and other blues musician that Mag loved.
Meet at Limantour at the North (main), walk to beach turn right and walk north about 50 yards.
If you're coming from the south on Highway 101 take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Olema, turn right on Highway 1, in about 100 yards turn left on Bear Valley Road and follow it to Limantour Road.
From the north on Highway 101 take Washington Street exit in Petaluma west to Petaluma Boulevard. Turn left and go approx half a mile to D Street. Turn right on D Street. and it will take you to Point Reyes Station.
Pass through the town and after you cross a bridge turn right on Sir Frances Drake Boulevard. In approximately half a mile at the three-way intersection turn left at Bear Valley Road. Proceed half a mile and turn right on Limantour Road. It's a nice ride to the beach on this road.
