James Peter Maguire

MAGUIRE, James Peter 91, passed away on January 18, 2004 at his home in Santa Rosa surrounded by his loving family. Jim came from an Irish immigrant family who settled in San Francisco following the "Potato Famine." They established Maguire's Dairy off San Jose Road in San Francisco. Jim was born on November 14, 1912 in San Francisco to Peter and Margaret (Klaer) Maguire. He was educated at Longfellow Grammar School and Mission High School. He graduated with a major in Forestry from the University of California at Berkeley in 1937. Following his college education, he worked as a Company Commander at CCC Camps in Jackson, Ukiah, and Guerneville, CA. He also served as assistant to the Provost Marshall, Presidio of San Francisco during World War II. Jim became Personnel Director of Sonoma County in 1948 and remained in that position until retirement in 1973. He established the Civil Service Commission and was a charter/founding member of the California Personnel Administrators Association, the Sonoma County Personnel Association and the Sonoma County Employees Credit Union. During his tenure with Sonoma County, he served as President/Director of each of these organizations. He also chaired the Sonoma County Employees United Way Fund Drive and received the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary International. In 1972, Jim retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Colonel. He was a 55-year member of the American Legion. In 1955, he purchased the Maguire Ranch on Coffey Lane in Santa Rosa where he grew walnuts and grapes. The family continues to operate this ranch. The ranch was his hobby and he served the farming community as Past Director of the Sonoma County Wine Cooperative and the North Coast Walnut Growers Association. Besides ranching, Jim enjoyed people, travel, gardening, family, and driving the scenic backroads of Sonoma County. He attended St. Rose Catholic Church and was a past member of the Knights of Columbus. Every once in awhile, his family could coax him into singing some good ol' Irish tunes, or "Home on the Range" and "Back in the Saddle Again." On August 31, 1940, he married Jane Eleanor Mortensen of Santa Rosa, the love of his life, who preceded him in death in 1999. Also preceding him in death was his eldest daughter, Patricia Jane Maguire of Squaw Valley, CA; brothers Hugh J. Maguire of Oakland, CA and William P. Maguire of Placerville, CA. Mourning his loss are: his son, Dennis Maguire and wife Kit of Meadow Vista, CA; his son, Hugh James "Jim" Maguire and wife Laurie of Santa Rosa, CA; his daughter, Kathleen Chamberlain and husband Richard of Sutherlin, OR; and his caregiver of three years, Jun Aseo. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and many in the Sonoma County area. Friends are invited to attend a Vigil and Rosary on Friday, January 23, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL, 4321 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa. Friends are also invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church. Entombment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the COLONIAL CHAPEL after 12:00 Noon on Friday, January 23, 2004. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Memorial Hospice, St. Rose School or Church or to your favorite charity.