Elliott Leo Maguire

Elliott Leo Maguire, 93, of St. Augustine, passed away on April 11, 2015, at the Bailey Center in St. Augustine, Fla.
He was surrounded by his family, whom he loved deeply. His many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his greatest pleasure in life. They treasured his love and enjoyment and it will remain with them always.
Elliott was born in Gary, Ind., on 1 May 1921, to Leo Michael and Bertha Edge Maguire. At an early age, his family moved to McKeesport, Pa.; Martins Ferry, Ohio; Waverly, La.; Groveland, Fla.; and then to Myakka City, Fla.; where he attended the first and second grades. They moved to Green Cove Springs in 1928, and he graduated from Clay High School in 1939.
After graduating with a degree in business administration from the University of Florida in 1943, he attended Naval OCS at Notre Dame University and received his commission in the Navy as an Ensign. He proudly served in World War II on LST 131 in the Pacific Campaign.
On Feb. 29, 1944, in Long Beach, Calif., he married his high school sweetheart, Lillian Juanita Burkhalter, from Penney Farms, Fla.
After the war, he returned to Green Cove Springs and began working in the family turpentine and timber business in St. Johns County with his father and his brother Bob. He eventually bought them out and changed the name to Maguire Timber Company. In 1974, he incorporated the company as Maguire Timber Corporation.
Elliott and his brother started Maguire Brothers, a timberland holding partnership in 1948. In 1987, the partnership was changed to Maguire Land Corporation. He also was partners with his brother, sister, Joan and other family members in orange groves in Groveland, Fla.
A devoted Florida Gator, he was a Phi Delta Theta Fraternity brother for 73 years, a member of the University of Florida Alumni Association and the Gator Booster Club and a lifelong football season ticket holder.
Elliott was a civic leader in his community, serving on numerous boards and community organizations. He was a past-president of the Florida Forestry Association and in 1998 he was the first person from the timber industry to be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.
In 1964, he married Geraldine Campbell of St. Augustine, Fla. He moved to St. Augustine where he and Jerrie lived until her passing in 1997. In 1998 he married Vivian Kenney of Orange Park, Fla.,
He is survived by his wife, Vivian Maguire; his three sons and their wives, Michael M. (Jenny) Maguire, Poquoson, Va.; Craig A. (Joan) Maguire, St. Augustine; and Bruce A. (Virginia) Maguire, St. Augustine; seven step-daughters; Donna (Doug) Campbell Swan, Theresa Campbell Grady, Sharon (Chris) Campbell Browning, Kathy (Bill) Campbell McKenna, all of St. Augustine; Kathy (Jack) Kenney Jackson, Waxhaw, N.C., Lynda (Mike) Kenney Knight, and Kim (Travis) Kenney Jolley, both of Keystone Heights, Fla.; 25 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his brother, Robert John Maguire; sister, Joan Maguire Lewis and his grandson, Clinton Anthony Maguire.
A memorial service will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at Craig Funeral Home. A visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m. until the time of the service. A video tribute will be shown in honor and celebration of Elliott's life.
Dr. Pat Turner-Sharpton, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in St. Augustine and the Rev. Hall Hunt, pastor of the Good Samaritan Anglican Church in Middleburg will conduct the services.
Memorial gifts are requested in lieu of flowers and may be sent to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park (craigfuneralhome.com) is in charge of the arrangements.