Granville Michael Magee

1969 - 2015

Granville Michael Magee

AGE: 45 • Wall

Granville Michael Magee, of Wall Township, passed away on February 4, 2015, at his home. He was 45 years old, and all who knew him have said he was as happy and full of life as he had ever been.

Born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, in 1969, Granville - or simply Mike to some - was one of a kind, a character, a true friend, a brilliant mind, and a big heart. He was always quick with a smile, a hug, a kind word, support, a story, a literary or pop culture reference, or political position.

Granville was a beloved son, brother, uncle, husband, father, friend, an avid hunter, outdoorsman, adventurer, artist, cook, reader, and story teller, as well as an attorney. His fiercest passions were bow hunting and Africa. He had the good fortune to travel to South Africa, where he once took a lion the locals had requested he hunt because it had been killing children, and another time when he struck down a black mamba, both by bow and arrow. Locally, Granville could regularly be found at the "dog park" in Wall, where he and his Rhodesian Ridgeback, Milo, would hold court and enjoy life. He could also be found at Pyle's Farm in Wall walking with Milo, L&H in Wall, or Shooters in Little Egg Harbor, where he would proceed to talk to anyone who would listen about any subject under the sun. In sum, Granville loved and found beauty in nature, his family, his friends, and all who would lend him their ear.

Granville was a talented linebacker at Wall High School and Hobart College, where he also played lacrosse and graduated from in 1991 with a B.A. in environmental studies. He studied law at Gonzaga University and Quinnipiac University, where he received his J.D. in 1995. Thereafter, he clerked for now retired Justice Virginia Long of the New Jersey Supreme Court, while she was the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division. Over the course of his legal career, he practiced law at Magee & Magee in Wall with his father and represented New Jersey Municipalities, Monmouth County, the Shore Conference of High Schools, and many individuals and businesses. Granville was a brother in Kappa Sigma, and a member of Manasquan River Golf Club, Safari Club International, the National Rifle Association, and the Monmouth County Bar Association.

Granville leaves behind his loving father and mother, Granville D. and Suzanne Magee, and four siblings, Jennifer Ribeiro, Peter M. Magee, Tennant D. Magee, Sr., and Margaret M. Paul. His niece, Julia Ribeiro and nephews, David Ribeiro, Tennant D. Magee, Jr., Aidan A. Magee, Caelan T. G. Magee will forever miss his love and the big kid that lived within him. He also leaves behind his loving brothers-in-law, Jay Ribeiro and Ian Paul, sisters-in-law, Bryn Magee and Shannon K. Magee, his ex-wife, Marietjie Cadigan, one of his best friends, and her children, Lena' Viljoen and John Cronje, whom he has loved as his own. Finally, his constant companion, Milo, misses him terribly.

Granny, you touched our lives and will forever be loved. We all miss you more than words can express, and this pithy obituary can never do justice to who you were and what you mean to us. You left us too soon, but death is the unfortunate price of life. Until we meet again. . .

Visitation will take place at O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Route 35, Wall, on Tuesday February 10, 2015, from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Catherine's Church in Spring Lake, the church where his parents were married and he was baptized, on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 10:30 A.M., followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle. For further information or to send condolences, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.