Christopher Seán Day

Seán, as he was known, was born on June 5, 1949, in Cape Town, South Africa to Joan and Eric Day. From his parents, he inherited his moral compass, stoicism, and independent spirit. Seán grew up in Cape Town and Knysna, South Africa. He graduated from the South African College School (SACS), followed by the South African Merchant Marine Academy, the University of Cape Town, and Oriel College at Oxford, which he attended on a Rhodes Scholarship. 

An avid seaman, he competed in the first Cape to Rio Yacht Race as a crew member aboard the Merchant Marine Academy boat. He later served in the South African Navy as part of required national military service.

Seán made his way in the world, but never moved on from those he valued. Throughout his life he stayed close to his childhood friends and the band of brothers he gathered in Oxford, Hong Kong, Canada, the US, and beyond. An excellent and frequent correspondent, he was famous for never forgetting a birthday.

In 1980, Seán met his future wife, Ginny Farrell. It was for her that he moved to the US, joining her in New York City. They married in 1981 and remained devoted to each other for the next 43 years. Together Seán and Ginny raised four daughters, Anne, Alexandra, Whitney and Robyn, in Greenwich, CT. Of his many accomplishments, Seán’s family was his most meaningful. 

Seán began his career at Scottish trading house Jardine Matheson in Hong Kong, where he served as commercial manager of their ship-owning group, the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company. Following two years in Hong Kong and one year in Taipei with Jardines, he joined the Canadian ship-owning group Fed Nav as an operations manager based in Montreal. In 1982 he joined Navios Corporation. After restructuring and restoring Navios, Seán left the shipping industry to work at Citicorp Venture Capital for several years.

In 1989, Seán rejoined Navios and eventually became CEO. In 1999, he joined the Teekay Corporation as its chairman until 2017. At the time of his death, he was Chairman Emeritus of Teekay Corporation and Compass Diversified.  During his life, he served on many boards, including Navios Corporation, Teekay Tankers, Teekay Offshore Partners, Teekay LNG Partners, Compass Diversified Holdings, Teekay Corporation and Kirby Corporation. 

Seán was a proud member of YPO in the Fairchester and the Intercontinental Chapters, and those relationships enriched his life with wisdom and adventures in the far reaches of the world. In addition to being a keen traveler, he loved the game of tennis and never missed a Friday night match (if he was in the country).

In the words of a close friend, Seán “was the true definition of a ‘gentleman.’ He embodied everything I always understood to be the definition of a great man – he was family focused, humble, kind, philanthropic, intelligent, authentic and generous with his talents and relationships.” Curious, kind, hardworking, and moral (with an occasionally naughty sense of humor), Seán will be remembered for his profound gratitude for the gifts of life, family, and friends, even in the face of a challenging terminal illness.

Seán is survived by wife, Virginia (Ginny) Farrell Day, his four daughters and three sons-in-law, Anne & Ryan Thorp, Alexandra & Jonathan Golden, Whitney & Jefferson (Mac) Steele, Robyn Day, and nine cherished grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jill Doorman. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Patrick (Toby) Day and Richard (Ric) Day.

Throughout his life, Seán worked to create better educational opportunities in South Africa. In 1997, Seán started the Friends of South African Schools (FOSAS) to ensure equitable education, post-apartheid. He was also a strong supporter of the Lawhill Maritime Centre in Simonstown, which focuses on job creation in South Africa through maritime education.

In loving memory of Seán, and lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Seán Day Fund supporting Lawhill Maritime Center. Visit www.oc-cf.org and click on the "Donate" button then select "Seán Day Fund" on the drop-down menu found on the secure donations page.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Seán’s life will be held in September.