Thomas William Mageau

Thomas William Mageau

Thomas William Mageau, age 88, of Duluth, Minn., passed away quietly in his sleep on October 26, 2025.

Tom was born in Virginia, Minn., to the late parents of Wally and Helen Mageau in 1937. He met the love of his life, Harolyn Johnson, in the 7th grade and they graduated together from Virginia High School in 1955. Tom joined the US Navy after high school and was stationed in California. Harolyn quickly joined him; they were married in December of 1955 and went on to spend 65 years together before her death in 2020.

They had three beautiful girls during their four years in California, and the new family moved back to Coon Rapids, Minn., to begin Tom's career at General Mills. After a few years at General Mills and several math and science courses from the University of MN Tom made the jump to Control Datra where he worked for 30 years developing semiconductor chips for the world's earliest computers. Tom was brilliant and driven, quickly rising through the ranks to become the only Executive Vice President without a formal college degree. In 1967 they moved to Burnsville, Minn., and gave birth to their fourth child. Tom retired at the young age of 52 and they moved back home to Lake Vermilion. Soon after they bought a condo on Marco Island, Florida, to escape the cold winters. They cherished their time together at Lake Vermilion and on Marco Island before moving back to Duluth, Minn., in 2001.

Tom remained active in retirement serving on the Tower, Minn., School Board, The Greenwood Township Planning and Zoning Commission, and driving the Lake Vermillion Mailboat. In Florida he served on the Smokehouse Bay Condo Association Board and as First Mate on a charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Tom also had many interests and hobbies. He played the saxophone in a band that did many gigs across the twin cities in the '60's and 70's. He made and drank award winning wines. He was an avid Marathon runner. He loved investing his money, and most of all enjoyed his time at the cabin on Burntside and Fredenburg Lake. He had a big personality, always controlled the room, incredibly intuitive, curious and engaged. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He left a lot of good memories, lived a good long life, and he will be missed.

Tom is survived by his 4 children: Cathy (Brad) Pugh, Kim Mageau (Howard Sahli), Michele (David) Lowe, and Michael (Sue) Mageau; 7 grandchildren: Amber (Greg) Benson, Jessica (Jon) Swaim, Brandon (Jodi) Sahli, Brooke (John) Fairbairn, Owen Mageau, Ian Mageau, and Ethan Mageau; 9 great-grandchildren: Claire and Violet Benson; Asher, Ayla and Aiden Swaim; Georgia Rose and Teddy Sahli; Paul and Charlie Fairbairn as well as extended family and friends.

A small, private family service and burial will be held in Virginia, Minn., on November 15, 2025. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice in Tom's honor.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.