Timeline for Joe A. Guerra
Born: July 9, 1934
Died: September 15, 2010
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
I'an so sad to here of Joe's passing.Dear Guerra family our prayers are with you all and Joe who we all know that the Lord has him in the best hands.We pray that we all meet with our love ones and joice all toghter agin.
Josie, Joe, Fred, Alfonso, Maya, Becky, Monica, Carlos and Eugie - Please accept my deepest sympathy - Joe was such a kind and gentle man. A true American who loved his country. He was so proud of each and everyone of you and his grandchildren. It was an honor to have known him.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE GUERRA FAMILY.. MAYA ...WE GO WAY BACK...GUADALUPE DAYS.. I FEEL FOR YOU . I LOST DAD A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK SO I KNOW THE VOID YOU ARE FEELING. U KNOW ITS WEIRD.. I HAD JUST SEEN YOUR DAD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO..AND BEING THATS HAD BEEN YEARS THAT I HAD LAST SEEN HIM...I WALKED INTO EXXON AND HE SAW ME AND CALLED ME BY MY NAME!!!! I WAS SURPRISED HE REMEMBERED ME... WOW... YOUR DAD WAS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY.. MAY HE REST IN TOTAL PEACE.. HE WILL BE MISSED TERRIBLY.
Our deepest condolences to the Guerra family. Maya- May you find peace and comfort in knowing he was a great and special man. I know you will miss him tremendously. Now he is up in heaven with God, his angels and my dad.
My heart is heavy with grief for this truly beautiful family. First with the passing of A GREAT MAN, your daddy and now with the loss of you grandmother. I know your mother is a very strong lady and probably right now she is helping you all, the children deal with all these trying times, but please remember to stay very close to her as the months go buy. With love for all of you, Pete, Eugie, Joe, Maya, Becky, Monica, Carlos and Alfredo.Your Friend,Vicky Romanos-Garcia
Our utmost heartfelt condolences to Mr. Guerra's family. I personally knew them and Mr. Guerra helped me when I attended A&M with my very good friend, Richard. Later, I always admired him for his strong commitment to all he knew in Laredo. Laredo lost a really honest and hard-working gentleman.
A recent US Poet Laureate has better words than we: THE LONG BOAT When his boat snapped loose from its mooring, under the screaking of the gulls, he tried at first to wave to his dear ones on shore, but in the rolling fog they had already lost their faces. Too tired even to choose between jumping and calling, somehow he felt absolved and free of his burdens, those mottoes stamped on his name-tag: conscience, ambition, and all that caring. He was content to lie down with the family ghosts in the slop of his cradle, buffeted by the storm, endlessly drifting. Peace! Peace! To be rocked by the Infinite! As if it didn't matter which way was home as if he didn't know he loved the earth so much he wanted to stay forever. Stanley Kunitz
Mrs. Guerra, Fred, & Family,No matter how far away he goes,he will always remain close to our hearts, because he leaves behind beautiful memories to cherish. May you be comforted by those memories and know you are in our thoughts. Peace,Carlos & Rose Herrera
Guerra Family,May your hearts & souls find peace and comfort. Remembering with you the life of someone so dear. Some people come into our livesand leave footprints on our heartsand we are never ever the same.-- Flavia Weedn
My Prayers go out to the Guerra Family. I would always honk/wave to Mr. Guerra while he was excercise walking. He was very helpful to my parents when he would do work on their cars @ the exxon shop corner of del mar & san dario. My cousin worked for him several years (tano Rdz). Well Father Jesus got him self a Good Man, to run one the Lords depts. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Dear Family, How proud you must be of a man that was an example to all. Hard work and family, always there to help his God and fellow man. He is a great loss to all, but more so to this community that he loved. He is in our prayers.
DEAR FAMILY, OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. MAYGOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. BABY & LOUIE GUERRA
I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Guerra's passing. Mrs. Guerra, Becky, Joe and Fred, please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.God bless you. JO
Mrs. Guerra,I am so sorry. I hope the love of those around you help you through the difficult days ahead.To Joe, Becky, Maya and the rest of the Guerra family. Find strength and comfort in knowing that your dad is in total paradise!When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. ~Author Unknown~Sylvia
Dear Pete and Guerra Family,I am truly sorry on the loss of your dear Father. I feel honored to have known him. The most simple man with the most sincere heart. May God hold you in his loving embrace always.
Mr. Guerra was one of a kind. He helped my family so much, especially my grandfather, Arturo Arce,who worked for him for many years. Whenever I ran into Mr. Guerra he always took time to stop and ask how I and everyone in my family was doing. He had a way of making you feel special. I will truely miss seeing him drive around town in his little red car, always keeping busy. My Deepest Sympathies go out to his entire family. He was a wonderful man.
Dear family, I am glad I had the pleasure to finally meet Joe this past summer during our trip to San Antonio and Laredo. As I learn more about him, I see what a remarkable man he was. Knowing Maya and spending a little time with Joe, Becky, and Monica, completes the image of a man with a wonderful life. He leaves not only a legacy but a path for us to follow. Our deepest condolences to the family, he will truly be missed.
Gaby, I am very sorry for your loss. I too lost my brother years ago, therefore, I can deeply feel your pain. May God give you the strength during this difficult time. Sincerely, Rosa Elia
Laredo losses an icon. I cherish the many conversations I had with Joe about community issues. What a wonderful and honest public servant. My sincere condolences to you and your family.I will miss him.
The thoughts and prayers of the Sisters of Mercy go out to all the family members of Joe A. Guerra during the time of such profound sorrow. Joe gave of himself genously and lived life to the fullest. Laredo is a better communty today for having had Joe as a public servant and resident of our beloved Laredo. May God's peace reign in your hearts, Sisters Maria Luisa Vera and Sisters
Dearest Guerra Family, Joe was such a kind and gentle man. I loved visiting with him, and talking 'Aggies'. He will be truly missed. Having experienced many losses in my life recently, I can tell you that you will survive this. The Lord will give you strength, and Joe will be with you always in your heart. You are all in my prayers.
Dearest Maya,My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Dad was certainly a special man.My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Guerra family, i am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Maya and Becky i am truly sorry. He was a great man, now receiving rewards for all of his hard work here on earth. Take care, Mel
My condolences to the family of Joe. He was a standout man of great reputation to me. He made his mark with all he came in contact. I am greatful for having known Joe and having had the opportunity to be associated with during my time in Laredo.
My deepest condolences to the Guerra family. Words are not enough in expressing what a great man Mr. Guerra was and will always remain in our hearts as that. My heart goes out to you Eugi, Becky, Maya, Pito, Carlos and Joe. May God give you the strength to go on with the beautiful memories of your DAD. To Mrs. Guerra, May God give you the peace and serenity to live with the wonderful memories you shared with this wonderful man. I will keep you in my prayers.......God Bless!
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services.
I'an so sad to here of Joe's passing.Dear Guerra family our prayers are with you all and Joe who we all know that the Lord has him in the best hands.We pray that we all meet with our love ones and joice all toghter agin.
Josie, Joe, Fred, Alfonso, Maya, Becky, Monica, Carlos and Eugie - Please accept my deepest sympathy - Joe was such a kind and gentle man. A true American who loved his country. He was so proud of each and everyone of you and his grandchildren. It was an honor to have known him.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE GUERRA FAMILY.. MAYA ...WE GO WAY BACK...GUADALUPE DAYS.. I FEEL FOR YOU . I LOST DAD A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK SO I KNOW THE VOID YOU ARE FEELING. U KNOW ITS WEIRD.. I HAD JUST SEEN YOUR DAD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO..AND BEING THATS HAD BEEN YEARS THAT I HAD LAST SEEN HIM...I WALKED INTO EXXON AND HE SAW ME AND CALLED ME BY MY NAME!!!! I WAS SURPRISED HE REMEMBERED ME... WOW... YOUR DAD WAS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY.. MAY HE REST IN TOTAL PEACE.. HE WILL BE MISSED TERRIBLY.
Our deepest condolences to the Guerra family. Maya- May you find peace and comfort in knowing he was a great and special man. I know you will miss him tremendously. Now he is up in heaven with God, his angels and my dad.
My heart is heavy with grief for this truly beautiful family. First with the passing of A GREAT MAN, your daddy and now with the loss of you grandmother. I know your mother is a very strong lady and probably right now she is helping you all, the children deal with all these trying times, but please remember to stay very close to her as the months go buy. With love for all of you, Pete, Eugie, Joe, Maya, Becky, Monica, Carlos and Alfredo.Your Friend,Vicky Romanos-Garcia
Our utmost heartfelt condolences to Mr. Guerra's family. I personally knew them and Mr. Guerra helped me when I attended A&M with my very good friend, Richard. Later, I always admired him for his strong commitment to all he knew in Laredo. Laredo lost a really honest and hard-working gentleman.
A recent US Poet Laureate has better words than we: THE LONG BOAT When his boat snapped loose from its mooring, under the screaking of the gulls, he tried at first to wave to his dear ones on shore, but in the rolling fog they had already lost their faces. Too tired even to choose between jumping and calling, somehow he felt absolved and free of his burdens, those mottoes stamped on his name-tag: conscience, ambition, and all that caring. He was content to lie down with the family ghosts in the slop of his cradle, buffeted by the storm, endlessly drifting. Peace! Peace! To be rocked by the Infinite! As if it didn't matter which way was home as if he didn't know he loved the earth so much he wanted to stay forever. Stanley Kunitz
Mrs. Guerra, Fred, & Family,No matter how far away he goes,he will always remain close to our hearts, because he leaves behind beautiful memories to cherish. May you be comforted by those memories and know you are in our thoughts. Peace,Carlos & Rose Herrera
Guerra Family,May your hearts & souls find peace and comfort. Remembering with you the life of someone so dear. Some people come into our livesand leave footprints on our heartsand we are never ever the same.-- Flavia Weedn
My Prayers go out to the Guerra Family. I would always honk/wave to Mr. Guerra while he was excercise walking. He was very helpful to my parents when he would do work on their cars @ the exxon shop corner of del mar & san dario. My cousin worked for him several years (tano Rdz). Well Father Jesus got him self a Good Man, to run one the Lords depts. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Dear Family, How proud you must be of a man that was an example to all. Hard work and family, always there to help his God and fellow man. He is a great loss to all, but more so to this community that he loved. He is in our prayers.
DEAR FAMILY, OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. MAYGOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. BABY & LOUIE GUERRA
I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Guerra's passing. Mrs. Guerra, Becky, Joe and Fred, please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.God bless you. JO
Mrs. Guerra,I am so sorry. I hope the love of those around you help you through the difficult days ahead.To Joe, Becky, Maya and the rest of the Guerra family. Find strength and comfort in knowing that your dad is in total paradise!When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. ~Author Unknown~Sylvia
Dear Pete and Guerra Family,I am truly sorry on the loss of your dear Father. I feel honored to have known him. The most simple man with the most sincere heart. May God hold you in his loving embrace always.
Mr. Guerra was one of a kind. He helped my family so much, especially my grandfather, Arturo Arce,who worked for him for many years. Whenever I ran into Mr. Guerra he always took time to stop and ask how I and everyone in my family was doing. He had a way of making you feel special. I will truely miss seeing him drive around town in his little red car, always keeping busy. My Deepest Sympathies go out to his entire family. He was a wonderful man.
Dear family, I am glad I had the pleasure to finally meet Joe this past summer during our trip to San Antonio and Laredo. As I learn more about him, I see what a remarkable man he was. Knowing Maya and spending a little time with Joe, Becky, and Monica, completes the image of a man with a wonderful life. He leaves not only a legacy but a path for us to follow. Our deepest condolences to the family, he will truly be missed.
Gaby, I am very sorry for your loss. I too lost my brother years ago, therefore, I can deeply feel your pain. May God give you the strength during this difficult time. Sincerely, Rosa Elia
Laredo losses an icon. I cherish the many conversations I had with Joe about community issues. What a wonderful and honest public servant. My sincere condolences to you and your family.I will miss him.
The thoughts and prayers of the Sisters of Mercy go out to all the family members of Joe A. Guerra during the time of such profound sorrow. Joe gave of himself genously and lived life to the fullest. Laredo is a better communty today for having had Joe as a public servant and resident of our beloved Laredo. May God's peace reign in your hearts, Sisters Maria Luisa Vera and Sisters
Dearest Guerra Family, Joe was such a kind and gentle man. I loved visiting with him, and talking 'Aggies'. He will be truly missed. Having experienced many losses in my life recently, I can tell you that you will survive this. The Lord will give you strength, and Joe will be with you always in your heart. You are all in my prayers.
Dearest Maya,My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Dad was certainly a special man.My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Guerra family, i am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Maya and Becky i am truly sorry. He was a great man, now receiving rewards for all of his hard work here on earth. Take care, Mel
My condolences to the family of Joe. He was a standout man of great reputation to me. He made his mark with all he came in contact. I am greatful for having known Joe and having had the opportunity to be associated with during my time in Laredo.
My deepest condolences to the Guerra family. Words are not enough in expressing what a great man Mr. Guerra was and will always remain in our hearts as that. My heart goes out to you Eugi, Becky, Maya, Pito, Carlos and Joe. May God give you the strength to go on with the beautiful memories of your DAD. To Mrs. Guerra, May God give you the peace and serenity to live with the wonderful memories you shared with this wonderful man. I will keep you in my prayers.......God Bless!
Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services.