Magilla M. C. Schaus, Navy veteran, city firefighter

Updated: November 14, 2009, 8:08 am /
Published: November 14, 2009, 12:30 am

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Sept. 20, 1951—Nov. 10, 2009

Magilla M. C. Schaus, a Buffalo man who swam across Lake Erie to raise awareness about the 1989 tragedy in Tiananmen Square, died Tuesday in Hospice Buffalo in Cheektowaga. He was 58.

Mr. Schaus was born in Buffalo and graduated from Bennett High School. While there, he was on the swim team for four years and won the All-High Relay. He was a lifelong Buffalo resident.

Mr. Schaus served for four years in the U. S. Navy on the USS Forrestal. He was a 20-year veteran Buffalo firefighter and served in many firehouses throughout the city.

An actor, producer and film buff, Mr. Schaus wrote and produced films and plays, including roles in “Shadow Creature” and “Hide in Plain Sight,” filmed in Buffalo.

He was a community activist and block club president, was a legendary Great Lakes surfer and was the president of the Wyldewood Surf Club, where he was a member since age 16.

Family members said Mr. Schaus surfed the Great Lakes and numerous oceans in his life. His passion for surfing was highlighted in a 2005 article in The New York Times.

He organized and competed in surfing contests and beach cleanup events throughout the Great Lakes.

Mr. Schaus is survived by his wife, the former Christine Lovett; a stepdaughter, Jessica; a stepson, Jonathan; four sisters, Sally Sullivan, Margaret Stegner, Elizabeth Prusich and Molly Rebisz; and three brothers, Kevin, Steven and Joseph.

Prayers will be offered at 10:45 a. m. today in Amigone Funeral Home, 1132 Delaware Ave., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a. m. in St. Louis Catholic Church, 35 Edward St.