Joe A. Guerra

JOE A. GUERRA Joe A. Guerra, 76, beloved husband, devoted father, kind brother, and a much respected businessman and a former Laredo City Council member, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 15, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Josie Flores Guerra; children Joe Jr.,Rebecca G. Doyle (Michael), Dr. Maya G. Zuniga (Fernando), Alfonso Guerra (Amanda), Alfredo Guerra (Tamara), Carlos, Monica G. Jones(Robert) of San Antonio, and María Eugenia Guerra; and grandchildren Nicholas Coussoulis, Peter Coussoulis, Andria Zuniga, Analise Zuniga, Abigail Guerra, Andrew Guerra, Kristian Guerra, Paola Guerra, Marcela Guerra, Braden Jones, and Trent Jones. Born July 9, 1934, he was the eldest son of the late José Margarito and Josefina Valls Guerra. He is survived by brothers Richard Guerra (Suzanne) of Houston and Luis Guerra (Lydia) of Victoria; and sisters Josie G. Levander of Palm Springs, CA, Laura G. Adler (Dr. Kenneth) of Los Angeles, Rosario Lapin (Dr. Stewart) of Los Angeles, Angela G. Cuellar ( Dr.Carlos) of Laredo, Anna Nudelman (Dr. Robert), and Gabriela Kirchner (Steve) of Los Angeles. An intensely private, hard-working and unpretentious man, Mr. Guerra lived a life committed to God, family, and community. Joe served as a Eucharistic minister and lector at Holy Redeemer Church and his mother church, St. Peter the Apostle. He was an exemplary father, educating all his children in Catholic schools, and teaching them by example a work ethic that reaped the rewards of gains well deserved, jobs well done, self-reliance and self- confidence. Education was always of utmost importance to him . Mr. Guerra’s name was synonymous with service – the service he offered as the owner/operator of Joe Guerra Exxon gas station at IH-35 and Del Mar Blvd. for 30 years and the service he gave his community as a four-term member of the Laredo City Council. He began his first term representing District IV in 1971 under the administration of Mayor Joseph Martin and a subsequent term under Mayor Aldo Tatangelo. He later represented District VI under Mayor Saul Ramirez and an additional term under Mayor Elizabeth Flores, ending his years in public service in 2002. Mr. Guerra, educated as a youngster at St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s schools, was a 1953 graduate of Martin High School and a 1957 graduate of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with a minor in business. Upon his return to Laredo, he became part of the family enterprises, the Laredo Motor Mart and Laredo Auto Parts. After an introduction to Josie Flores by a young cousin, Carlos Daniel Guerra, in the spring of 1961, Mr. Guerra married the love of his life in a small, family-only ceremony in December 1961. Mr. Guerra’s ancestors came to the New World in 1602 from Montaña de Castillo in Spain. He was a direct descendant of the Guerra-Cañamars who founded Revilla (Cd. Guerrero), Los Ojuelos, and Palafox. A longtime stalwart Republican, Mr. Guerra led the Pledge of Allegiance at the fourth session of the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. He was recognized for his years of public service in the House of Representatives by Congressman Henry Bonilla in October 2000. He truly had a love for his country, proudly celebrating 4th of July every year with his family and friends. On the day before his death, Mr. and Mrs. Guerra celebrated Grandparents Day at St. Augustine School with their granddaughters Andria and Analise Zuniga. Just hours before his death, they commemorated the same event once again at St. Augustine Elementary with their granddaughter Abigail and visited their daughter, Becky G. Doyle, a first grade teacher at the school. Mr. Guerra will be much missed and long remembered by his family and by those who knew him as a charitable man and an honest public servant who loved his community and spoke up for those who had no voice. The hallmark of Joe Guerra’s life was kindness, integrity, dignity, and purpose. He leaves an exemplary legacy of all the good things men can be. The family will be receiving friends and family on Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 9am-12pm at St. Patrick’s Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 12 noon. Celebrating will be Father Wojciech Kosowicz with co-celebrant, Father Toby Guerrero of St Peter the Apostle Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Augustine Elementary School or St. Peter’s Catholic Church.Funeral service arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral directors of Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services, an exclusive member of Veterans & Family Memorial Care, 4502 Thomas Ave. Laredo, TX 78041 (956) 723-3611.Friends can express their condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com