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Charles Magowan Obituary
April 16, 1963 - March 3, 2017
Charles Merrill Magowan born in New York City on April 16, 1963, died at home in San Francisco on March 3. Charles moved with his parents to San Francisco in 1971. He attended both the Cathedral School for Boys and Town School prior to moving to Pebble Beach for four years. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Burlingame High School and graduated Yale University in 1985. Charles became the first fourth generation employee of Merrill Lynch before becoming CEO of Aquatech Systems, a company engaged in salmon farming in Norway. He later was a co-founder of TradePoint Solutions, a software company, which was acquired by Demandtec in 2006. In 2009, he established Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze which continues to do business at Pier 39.Charles was highly creative and full of life and enthusiasm. He had a vast knowledge of many subjects and did not hesitate to share his joy of life and crazy ideas with his family and friends
Charles was a choir boy at Grace Cathedral, and as an adult served as a Trustee of the Cathedral and the Cathedral School for Boys. He was also a Board member of the Joffrey Ballet and a member of the Bohemian Club.
Charles is survived by his wife, Julie Humphries Magowan, their two children, Doris and Stephen, his parents, Cynthia and Merrill, and his two brothers Tom (Runa) and Douglas, as well as his niece, Katrina, and nephew, Merrill.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Cathedral on Monday, March 20 at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Cathedral School for Boys, 1275 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Magowan
Mark
March 5, 2018
it is a year later and I still miss Charles wit and humor.
David Sullivan
June 11, 2017
We had not been in touch since college (except through Facebook, which doesn't count), but Chas was an extraordinary guy and the universe is a lesser place without him.
John Boyle
March 22, 2017
Charles was a true original, one of the most fascinating, intellectually vibrant and charismatic individuals I have ever had the privilege to know. Charles (Chaz) and I became close as fellow freshmen at Phillips Exeter in 1977, and later reconnected at college. I often asked him to join me in co-publishing issues of the Yale Daily News and Yale Business Bulletin, just because I know he would make them all the more fun and interesting, which he most certainly did. He was a great and loyal friend to me and many other people in the years since. Hard to believe that he is gone given that he was so full of life. God bless Julie and all of the Magowan family.
March 20, 2017
I wanted to offer my sincere condolences to the family. Charles - or as I knew him - Chaz - was a bright fixture in helping me navigate my move to SF many years ago. He was also an eternal character while I was at college and at PEA, always popping up as one of those legendary "you know Chaz"? figures.
I last saw him at an event put together by our high school, our classmate posted a nice photo of the three of us together, a little older, but still having a good time.
Of course, Chaz and I exchanged contact information and a promise to get together, which committment, unfortunately, we weren't able to keep. What a bright star, and a unique personality. I will miss him. May God bless Julie and the rest of the family he leaves with us in the here and now.
Best - Larry Hing
Alex Evans
March 15, 2017
Charles might appreciate that scientists recently attempted to calculate the average color of the universe. The initial conclusion: turquoise. Later an error was found in their calculation and the revised answer was this: beige. Charles was a bright spot of turquoise in an otherwise beige universe. He now will brighten the afterlife as he brightened the mortal world. Sincere condolences to those who loved him and his remarkable color.
Joe Snider
March 13, 2017
My condolences to the family. Many fond memories of Charles back in Hillsborough and Burlingame.
Joe Snider
March 13, 2017
Dear Merrill and Cynnie,
I was so sorry to learn of the passing of your son, Charles. Please know that both of you and Douglas and the rest of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
David Pond
Denise Bricker
March 13, 2017
Charles (or Chaz as he was then known to us) was a bright, vibrant and well-loved member of the Phillips Exeter Class of 1981. He is best remembered for his sense of fun and his kindness. We are deeply saddened by his loss and send our collective condolences to his family.
Denise Bricker
President, PEA Class '81
Zöe Hare
March 10, 2017
Charles was a kind and friendly man who hosted our Son Talon on many fun and interesting play dates and excursions. Charles was always ready for a great conversation when picking up Stephen from our house after play dates, and was always engaging, impressing us with his vitality and his brilliant ideas. My family all admired him and enjoyed his company, and appreciated the fun times he and Julie provided for our little Cathedral School boys in those years. We will always be grateful for these contributions to wonderful memories of those precious childhood days, and we feel deeply for his loss. Sending big hugs and deepest sympathy to Julie, Stephen, and Dorie, and condolences to all who knew and loved him, may you all be comforted and blessed.
Love from, the Staniford /Hare family, Zöe, Stuart, Talon, and Tristan .
Guy SHIElds
March 10, 2017
I will miss the many adventures we shared and feel a great sense of loss at his passing.
Jason Lucey
March 10, 2017
I was very sad to hear of the loss of my old friend Charles. My families deepest condolences to all of the Magowan family during this time of loss. Good luck to you Charles our prayers are with you.
Jason Lucey
March 10, 2017
To the family of Charles, I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a bright, fun and interesting man. I feel lucky to have known him (through work at Eeonyx Corporation). Connie
Alphonso
March 10, 2017
To the family of Charles MaGowan, I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you will miss him dearly. Please find comfort in knowing one day we will see our loved ones again. John 6:40. Matthew 5:5.
March 10, 2017
Dear family,
Im sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of him and my thoughts are with all of you during these sad days.
Your sincerely from Iceland,
Hanna / Jóhanna A. Logadóttir
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