Michael A. Magilton

Update: Mike’s wife (CJ) and daughter (Trisha) invite Mike’s family, friends, colleagues, fellow dockers, and other acquaintances for a reception to celebrate his life on Saturday, July 17. Guests are welcome to drop in and share fellowship and their remembrances of Mike from 1:00 to 5:00 at the Civic Club of Harrisburg (612 N. Front Street, Harrisburg). A Mike-inspired picnic will be served. Convenient parking is located on State Street and North Street. Limited parking spots are located at the Civic Club and reserved for Disability Placards.

Michael A. MaGilton was born on Thursday, July 6, 1950. He passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Mike’s parents were James Hill MaGilton and Beverly Jean Reams MaGilton. Mike grew up with his big brother, Jim MaGilton, and Jeannie MaGilton Prest, his little sister. His life at home was full of love and the freedom to be a kid. He fished, ice skated, built a tree “house” from an airplane tire, built a mini-bike from a bicycle and a lawn mower motor, and rode horses. Their parents built a swimming pool at their home while Mike, Jim, and Jeannie were kids, and it was a centerpiece of their lives. Beverly taught swimming lessons to the neighborhood children. They had swimming carnivals, and Jeannie spent so much time as a little girl in the pool that her braids got moldy! Mike became an excellent swimmer, being able to swim underwater for several laps. He was a lifeguard at the Jewish Community Center pool in Harrisburg. After graduating from Central Dauphin East High School, Mike attended the Harrisburg Area Community College, where he was president of the Kappa Kappa fraternity. Suffice it to say that this group’s activities provided many entertaining and interesting stories.

Trisha, Mike’s beloved daughter, was born on April 1, 1972. Mike’s accountings of his fatherhood were full of joy, pride, humor, and the deepest love. Trisha was the light of his life. He treasured Trisha and his life with her. It showed in his words, his actions, and through the love that shone from his eyes that were so much like hers. Trisha earned her Real Estate license and became a Realtor, then went to work with her dad. This time was particularly precious to Mike and added a new and interesting dimension to that relationship. He truly relished that time with her. When Trisha received her MBA, Mike was so very proud of his daughter.

Mike was a builder and a craftsman. He loved designing projects and making his visions a reality. He learned his skills at the knee of his Papa, Austin Reams. Mike spent many, many hours in Austin’s workshop learning the art of woodworking and carpentry. Mike said that any time he would be building something and hit a snag, after Austin passed away, he would look up and ask, “Papa how would you handle this?” Papa always answered, and Mike’s artistry and skill can be seen in his own home as well as many other homes around Harrisburg.

Mike spent 49 years of partnership, friendship, and brotherhood with Bill Livingston, as a partner of Livingston and MaGilton Realtors and in life. These men successfully built their business, raised their families, and enjoyed the ups of life together and supported each other in the downs of life. These men were brothers.

Mike was an avid Penn State Football fan. He stood for each game in its entirety and cheered for his team. Even when the whole neighborhood could hear him. Mike enjoyed watching and playing golf, particularly with his best friend, Bill “Buck” White. Discussions about the quality of professional players, particularly Phil Mickelson, were ongoing. These two men were brothers from different mothers. Over the years Mike and Buck developed an epic air guitar show that always culminated in their legendary performance of “Rosalita.”

Mike was a grill master. He fed friends and family his famous London broil, petite filet, and king crab legs, among other delicacies. Mike’s chili was well known, and much sought after. At a family gathering in North Carolina, Mike grilled London broil on a decrepit public charcoal grill which no one used because they couldn’t get it hot enough. The family cheered Mike on from the balcony as he found a way to grill the meat to perfection.

Mike had a boat. This pontoon houseboat, the Enterprise, was his home away from home and one of his greatest joys. The history of Captain Mike and the Enterprise is vast and storied. Very few of his friends and family do not have at least one adventure with Mike on the Mighty Susquehanna.

Mike met his wife, CJ, late in 2008 at a Friends of Midtown social. Shortly after they began dating, Mike took her to see the boat for the first time. It was still in dry dock, and Mike wasn’t sure what CJ would think about a houseboat on blocks in the woods of Dauphin. As they drew near to it, CJ saw the name on the side… it was named “Enterprise.” CJ, a huge Star Trek fan, took it as a sign and fell in love with this unique and extraordinary watercraft. It didn’t hurt that she was rapidly falling in love with Mike as well. They spent as many days on the Enterprise as possible and slept over every night they could during the summer. Many an evening after work, Mike grilled dinner, and they ate by sunset. Each year, the couple would make some kind of improvement to the Enterprise, including installing a stereo system, new flooring, adding a flat screen tv, more storage, a granite countertop in the kitchen, and reupholstering the couches. The Enterprise was Mike’s and CJ’s spiritual home. It was a place to come together, bond, share their lives, and experience joy on the Susquehanna.

Mike and CJ married on the Enterprise on December 25, 2012. Mike and CJ chose this date because Mike’s grandparents, Agnes and Austin Reams (Mammy and Papa), married on Christmas day, and they wanted very much to honor that union. Mike and CJ relished their life together. Coming together later in life, they understood that each and every moment they had together was a gift, and they never took it for granted. They fulfilled and cherished each other and brought tremendous joy to each other’s lives. Besides their time on the Enterprise, they traveled as often as life would permit and shared as many life experiences as they could. There are no words to describe the extent of their love. They were infinitely happy with each other.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, James Hill MaGilton and Beverly Jean MaGilton, and infant sister Linda MaGilton. He is survived by wife, Celia “CJ” MaGilton; daughter, Trisha MaGilton (Christopher Markley); brother, James MaGilton (Cindy); sister Jeannie Prest (Michael); nephews James MaGilton, Jr. (Susan) andDavid MaGilton; niece, Sheri Bullock; grand-nephews Austin Storm MaGilton and Stephen MaGilton; grand-niece Kayla Patterson (Patrick); and Mike’s prior wife, Elaine Groff, Trisha’s mom.

Mike was a beloved husband, father, partner, and friend. He is deeply missed by every person whose life he touched. We are all grateful for his presence in our lives and he will remain with us forever.

Pictures celebrating Mike's life may be viewed in the tribute wall.

A Celebration of Mike's Life will be held at the Civic Club of Harrisburg from 1 to 5pm, Saturday, July 17th.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Masonic Children’s Home, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, Phone: 717-367-1121 ext. 33301, https://masonicchildrenshome.org/donate-now/.