Joseph F. Guzinski

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Saturday, June 26, 1926
Date of Death:
Monday, September 29, 2014
Age:
88 years old

Visitation

Date: Thursday October 02, 2014
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Second Visitation

Date: Friday October 03, 2014
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Funeral Service

Date: Friday October 03, 2014
Time: 10:30 am

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Burial

Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Saturday, June 26, 1926
Date of Death:
Monday, September 29, 2014
Age:
88 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Saturday, June 26, 1926
Date of Death:
Monday, September 29, 2014
Age:
88 years old

Joseph F. Guzinski

Joseph F. (Gus) Guzinski, 88, of Rochester died Monday, September 29, 2014 at his home.

He was born in Eyota, MN on June 26, 1926 to Joseph and Adelaide Guzinski.  He moved with his family to Plainview and then to Rochester, MN in 1936.  Joe attended Rochester High School where he was co-captain of the swimming team.  He graduated from Rochester High School in 1944.  In 1946 he and Sis Lindberg were married.  They made their home in Rochester, MN.  Joe worked for 38 years for Peoples Natural Gas Co. in Rochester where he was ultimately operations manager.  He also owned Joe’s Liquor store in Rochester from the early 70’s until his death.

Joe was active for many years in Democratic politics.  He loved spending time at his cabin and boating on Lake Zumbro.  He also loved traveling and spent his winters in Scottsdale, AZ.

He is survived by his son, Joseph (Pam) Guzinski, of Rochester; 3 grandchildren, Melissa (Paul) Freetly of Rochester, Jamie (Brent) Johnson of Rochester and Sarah A. Guzinski and fiance Greg Cascino of Chicago, IL and 4 great-grandchildren, Danielle and Nora Freetly, and Hailey and Michael Johnson.  He is also survived by his brother John (Eileen) of Elmwood, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sis, his daughter Cheri A. Clark, his sister Mary Griffith and his long time companion Bette Lyman.

Friends and family may visit from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2014 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.  A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2014 also in the River Park Chapel at the Macken Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to Lake Zumbro Forever, Inc., P.O. Box 294, Oronoco, MN  55960.

On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

Condolences

The family of Joseph F. Guzinski has received the following condolences.

sorry i was out of town for the service.  just to let the family know how positive Joe was when he came to vote at Edison School, where i was an election judge, at the August primary.  i asked how he was, and he said, "Living the dream".  it i what we should all aspire to :)

My condolences to the family. I knew Gus and Sis since I was a kid. They were both involved in politics with my Dad Bill. They were both so nice to us kids that hung out at the DFL offices around election time. Gus looked like a giant to me.  

I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Joseph.  Thank you for all of Joe's contributions to the Democratic Party in Rochester. He will be missed. 

 

Diane Hellie

Chair Olmsted 25 DFL

 

         

 

 

 

          WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY .OF JOPSEPH GUZINSKI.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I speak for many Olmsted Co. Democrats--esp. those of us old enough to recall Joe's active years in the DFL Party--in extending sincere condolences to his surviving loved ones.  As a longtime officer [mostly as Treasurer], Joe lent his hard work, and many of his hard-earned dollars, to our candidates & causes.  He always displayed good humor & goodwill [even when faced w. our many lost causes in those years], and generously shared his bountiful sage advice & political savvy.  What a full life he lived; but he shall be missed! 

--Frank Hawthorne, Democratic activist of Senate District 26

Thank you so much for sending memorials to Lake Zumbro Forever.............that is the nicest thing your family could have done.  My Grandpa, Cleo Lyke, sold his cabin to "Gus" because he knew he loved the Lake as much as he did.............I live on the Lake now and we need all the help we can get to get it back to when "Little Joe" and Gus used to swim all the was across the lake and back.............Oh such good memories............

 

Sue Meyer

Janice's daughter

 

Joe and Pam and family- So sorry for your loss. Gus was one of the most decent human beings I have had the pleasure to call my friend. He always had a way to make you stop rushing through life just to chat with him. I will hold you all in my prayers for your (our) loss. God blessed are those who knew Gus.

 

Mark Braun

When I was 7 Joe and Sis lived just up the block and around the corner from us. I walked over to there house once uninvited once. They were  so kind and welcoming. He was so loving and kind hearted. He enjoyed people and loved his friends.  He would do anything for anyone (within reason, ha!) He was one of my Dad's oldest and dearest friends. He 2as  everybody's bestfriend. Dad and Joe spent many a Sundays cruising around the local pubs talking politics and current affairs. They were "Good Democrats " Joe would say. He was so funny. I will miss him and I'm sure my Dad is feeling a big void in his days now.  He and Sis are together again and that makes me happy. Love you Joe. I will miss you. 

My mother was an only child...my dad was an only child. Gus was my uncle... I remember him playing Janis Joplin for me after he and Sis had gone to the Monterey Pop Festival. I was in 7th grade and I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have this wonderful man in my life. Every time he came over, he asked me if there was anything that needed to be fixed (he knew that Clem was not the handiest guy). 

Clem, Rod and Gus, they had a little fun together. I'm so happy that Dad and I have been able to come down and visit since Dad moved to St Paul. Gus was a wonderful friend and...a wonderful uncle.

Fond memories of the banter between Gus and dad, with Gus calling dad "Yogi".  RIP dear friend.