Sayre Macneil
Azusa, California to Taipei, Taiwan by way of Pasadena CA, Exeter NH, Eugene & Lincoln City OR, San Francisco CA, and mostly Santa Barbara CA, Sayre lived his life with enthusiasm and vigor, “doing it his way”. And in that way, he enriched the lives of countless people.
Sayre followed his passion for justice and generosity by developing his skills as a litigator & mediator and in aiding street people. His love of the outdoors, nature and adventure took him on a year-long trip around the world, as well as frequently leading others to his favorite places in the Sierra and the Los Padres Wilderness at The Piru. Sayre loved costumes and pageantry, and has left an extensive hat collection. His talent as a storyteller and researcher, fueled by his deep pride and interest in family history and California history enhanced his presentations to historical societies in Southern California. For nearly 40 years, he dedicated himself to the art of Tai Chi, as a student and a teacher, it becoming central to his life and taking him to Taiwan in the end. Sayre was a valued and respected Elder in The ManKind Project and in such diverse groups as the Westerners and E Clampus Vitus. His principal partners in life – Linda, Judy and Laura – gave him strength, stability and joy.
Sayre was an excellent writer, but his story of the last year of his life goes untold, as far as is known. Sayre was a Bon Vivant, who also lived through prolonged periods of mania and severe, paralyzing depression. It wasn’t easy to be Sayre. He gave it his best.
His absence leaves a hole in several communities, among his many friends and his family: his daughter – Samantha Grimm, his siblings – Mary Allen, Tonia, Lucy, Daphne and Philip, his first cousins – Bradford Macneil, Nina Warner.
A memorial celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday October 21 at 2:00pm at the Unitarian Society, 1535 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara. Donations in Sayre’s honor may be made to the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County (lafsbc.org) and ManKind Project Young Warrior Scholarship Fund (mkpconnect.org).
