Deacon Michael Henry Guerrieri, 79, a longtime dedicated servant for Egg Harbor City’s faithful, died May 20.
Born Jan. 11, 1944, he was ordained a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Camden on Oct. 4, 1978, and was assigned to Saint Nicholas Parish in Egg Harbor City, remaining there during its transition to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in 2012.
In 2017, he retired.
As a student of Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, he was an All-American recipient for the school’s football program, and later was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. Throughout his life, he remained an ardent supporter of the Spartans.
After graduation, he continued his football career at Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., and served in the National Guard as a lieutenant.
As he and his wife, Mary, raised their five children and 12 grandchildren in the faith (all of whom he baptized and married); he extended his support to riverbanks, field hockey fields, swimming pools, lacrosse turfs, soccer fields and ice hockey arenas.
For 40 years, he led a Monday night prayer group for Catholics of Egg Harbor City and nearby Galloway Township.
“His devotion to the Holy Spirit, his family and his community were evident both on and off the field. All who knew him were drawn to this energy and light from within,” his family remembered in announcing his death.
Diaconate classmate retired Deacon James Rocks said he always enjoyed being in Deacon Michael’s presence.
“I enjoyed our years of formation and of association,” Deacon Rocks said. “He was a Christ-centered man, devoted to his faith and family, and a strong role model for men.”
Deacon Michael is predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Mary Farrell Guerrieri, and his parents, Evelyn Jiampetti Guerrieri and Gabriel L. Guerrieri.
He is survived by his siblings, Gabriel (Carol) Guerrieri, Robert (Judy) Guerrieri, Susan (Frank) Gargione, Rick (Ave) Guerrieri, Marylou (Thomas) Lowndes; his children, Gabrielle (John) Mancy, Michael J. (Sarah) Guerrieri, Gina (Jay) Deubel, Matthew (Sandy) Guerrieri and Maria (Stephen) Puleo; his grandchildren, Gabrielle Faye (Daniel) Panchèvre, Andrew, Grace and Giavanna Mancy; Kayla, James and Katie Deubel; Alexis, Gabriel and Jake Guerrieri; and Isabelle and Reagan Puleo.
A viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. May 29 and from 9:30 to 10 a.m. May 30 at Wimberg Funeral Home, 400 Liverpool Ave., Egg Harbor City.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. May 30 at Saint Nicholas Church, 525 Saint Louis Ave., Egg Harbor City.
Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5061 Harding Highway, Mays Landing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Saint Nicholas Church), 146 S. Pitney Road, Galloway, N.J. 08205.
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