Obituary: George C. Guzman

, a longtime Waukesha resident, died on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 84 and was greeted in heaven by his son Gary “Tiger Lily”, other family members and best buddies.

He was born in Stevens Point on April 15, 1928, the son of Felix and Clara (nee Kitowski).  He proudly served his country in the United States Navy.  The highlight of George’s military career was when he was on the honor guard when Admiral Halsey signed the Japanese Peace Treaty ending World War II.

On February 3, 1951 he married the former Charlotte “Char” Groshek and they moved to Waukesha in 1952.  George was a 1950 graduate of the American Institute of Baking in Chicago and worked at Comer’s Bakery on Broadway.  He then worked at Ethan Allen School for Boys for 32 years until his retirement in 1990.  George was a member of the American Legion DJ Martin Post 8 where he was part of the military honors team.  He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church.

George had 84 years packed full of love, joy, family, friends and love for the lord.  He will be remembered for his caring ways, great sense of humor, and his homemade Christmas cookies and batches of pea and bean soup.  George was our rock.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing and each year he looked forward to his annual fishing trip with the guys. The last four years were difficult as George was quite homebound but his motto of “One day at a time” got him through it.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 61 years, Char of Waukesha, his daughters, Sharon (Robert) Kaufman of Waukesha and Gail (Richard) Riley of Bulls Gap, TN, his three grandchildren, Josh (Jaime) Kaufman of California, Sarah Kaufman of New Berlin and Dolores Riley of Washington, and two great-grandchildren Haley and Lucas Kaufman.  He is further survived by his sister-in-law Patricia Guzman of Rhinelander along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Gary in 1993 and his brother Donald. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2012 from 3 p.m. until the 5 p.m. funeral Mass all at , 225 S. Hartwell Avenue, Waukesha (Corner of Hartwell and Newhall Avenues).  Reverend Howard Haase will preside.  An American Legion walk-through will take place at the church at 3 p.m. by DJ Martin Post 8. Graveside services with full military honors will be held on Friday, August 17, at 9:30 a.m. at Prairie Home Cemetery.  Please meet at the cemetery office.

If desired masses in George’s name are appreciated at St. Mary Catholic Church or donations can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

For further information, please call Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave the family an online tribute message.