In Memoriam

Charles John Maguire (1938 – 2020)

Charles John Maguire died peacefully in his sleep on October 27, 2020 after a battle with blood cancer. Charles was born on July 13, 1938 in Ireland to Dr. Charles and Mrs. May Maguire of Kiltegan, Wicklow.

He received a BS in Agricultural Sciences (1959) from University College Dublin and a PhD in Agricultural Economics (1977) from the University of Minnesota. In 1960, he met the love of his life, Vimala De Croos, a chemistry teacher from Sri Lanka. They married in 1966 in London and ultimately settled in McLean, VA. For 54 years, Charles and Vimala enjoyed walks in all weathers, traveling, art, music and hosting friends and family in their beautiful homes in McLean and Galway.

An avid soccer fan, Charles refereed games and coached a women’s team while living in Minnesota. When not spending time with family and friends, Charles enjoyed reading, swimming, and playing soccer.

In his twenty-six-year career as a Senior Institutional Development Specialist in the Natural Resources Division of the World Bank’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, Charles transformed agricultural education in developing countries by advocating for training to meet the challenges of climate change, urbanization, and environmental sustainability. After his retirement in 2008, Charles continued to work as a consultant on projects in Indonesia, Korea, India, Uganda, and Sri Lanka. He also worked as a consultant for FAO in Rome.

Charles is remembered by his colleagues and friends for his wicked sense of humor and his ability to work with people from all over the world. Schools of agricultural education all over the developing world benefited from his humility and wisdom. Younger colleagues at the Bank remember his generous mentorship.

Charles is mourned by his wife, Vimala Maguire, three brothers: Jim (Ann) Maguire and Edward Maguire, both of Ireland; Tom (Lorri) Maguire, of Edmonton, Canada, and Vim’s numerous brothers, sisters, and in-laws in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sri Lanka. His many nephews and nieces and their children will fondly remember Charles’ silly games and uproariously funny stories, but also his wise counsel and kindness. His family and friends all over the world will miss laughing with him while sharing meals and wine, watching soccer matches with him over bottles of his favorite Irish whiskey, and discussing politics with him.

Submitted by Vimala Maguire, spouse & Meena Tharmaratnam