Harwood, John Charles

John Harwood, 82, passed away on Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 in the Great Northwoods of Wisconsin. Affectionately known by family as “Grandpa Magic,” John was born to the late Kenneth and Ruth Harwood on February 9th, 1930 in Neenah, Wisconsin. John graduated with a degree in engineering from Northwestern University, where he met and married his college sweetheart, Janet Burmeister of Wilmette, Illinois. On August 25, 2012, John and Janet celebrated 57 magical years of marriage together. Now performing “magic” in heaven, John is remembered by his loving wife Janet; three children, Ken (Kathleen) Harwood, Pam (Bill Tabberson) Harwood, Scott Harwood; four grandchildren, Christopher (Eileen) Harwood, Megan (Ryan) Ehlert, Naomi Harwood Tabberson, Coly John Harwood Tabberson; great grandchild, Jackson Harwood; younger brother, Richard (Joey) Harwood; and seven nieces and four nephews. John thrived as a sales and marketing executive in the iron foundry industry (Waupaca Foundry, Budd Company, Auburn Foundry), but magical entertainment was his serious avocation. He enjoyed performing most of all and will be remembered by the thousands he touched through magic and a kind word. Performing before his classmates in kindergarten started John on his path as a magical entertainer. His father, believing that every child should have a hobby, had returned from Chicago with a small magic effect for John. After perfecting the magic trick, John presented to his class at Roosevelt Elementary School in Neenah in 1935. His interest in all things magical blossomed and in 1941, John met Mrs. Harry Houdini at the Houdini Club Convention. During his senior year at Neenah High School, John helped organize the first vaudeville show. Magic helped support his college studies too by doing small performances around Northwestern University. Soon after starting his career in the foundry industry and his family with Janet, John continued his magical entertainment, especially for his children and other community benefits while living throughout the Midwest in LaGrange, IL, Marshalltown, IA, Waupaca, WI, Birmingham, MI, and Kendallville, IN. John realized that magic was a valuable addition to his career as a sales and marketing executive, where his work had him travelling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, England, Germany and Japan. He always carried a little “pocket magic” with him on his travels, remarking, “My customers enjoyed the addition of magic to presentations…restless children on airplanes react favorably to a rabbit made from a handkerchief…and magic kept me from having to try and sing during numerous karaoke sessions in Japan.” John retired from the ‘workaday’ world and he and Janet moved to Hazelhurst, Wisconsin in June of 1991. Counting his travels since retirement, John has now performed in 31 of the 50 states as well as six countries. He spent January of 1999 in London performing on the mall at Covent Garden and the Avalon Hotel in Bloomsbury. In July of 1999, John Charles Harwood became the 196th Lifetime Member of the Society of American Magicians, an organization founded in 1902. Harry Houdini served as president from 1917 until his death in 1926 and more than 23 thousand magicians have been members since 1902. John has had a full life and is thankful for those around him that have helped in his opportunity to live, work, raise a family, and become engaged in communities. John’s magical shows entertained all ages in many different situations and for all whose lives he touched, John will be known warmly as “The World’s 14th Greatest Magincian”. The Funeral Service for John Harwood will be held on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Neenah’s Westgor Funeral Home with Rev. Martin Ruge officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service. Interment will be in Neenah’s Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in his name. Assisting the family is Westgor Funeral Home, 205 W. Doty Ave., Neenah. Online Condolences, www.westgorfuneralhomes.com