Thomas B. Guidi, 75, longtime resident of Great Barrington and Rotunda West, Florida, passed away Sept. 25 of a hemorrhagic stroke while on vacation in Texas.
Born to Harold A. and Marion E. Curtiss Guidi April 21, 1942, in Great Barrington, he graduated from Mount Everett High School in 1960 before proudly serving our country in the U.S. Navy and Air Force for 22 years. Throughout his career Tom was stationed in Bermuda, Guam, Korea, Texas and in Milford, Mass., where he worked as a recruiter. His last post was at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Tom loved his job; his most fulfilling assignment was placing pilots in their first jets. Receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Tom embarked on a second career in the disbursement and admitting departments of Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital until his retirement in 2008. Always one to give back to the community, he gave of his time as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and a love of Broadway was fulfilled as a volunteer usher in many theatres throughout the Berkshires. He was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Tom embraced retirement as a lifelong vacation where he could surround himself with his three favorite things: water, sun and, of course, his love of cats. Whether it was fishing, swimming, biking, cruising the world with wife Roberta, or just working in his garden, Tom was happiest as long as there was a ray of sun, a drop of water and a loving cat nearby. Always looking on the bright side, he embodied the philosophy that he didn’t retire from something, he retired to something and that joy was evident in his smile and laugh that will be missed by everyone lucky enough to know him.
Tom is survived by his wife, Roberta Parry; son David Guidi and fiancée Catherine Fisher and daughter Emily, and son William Guidi – all of Egremont; granddaughters Hannah Guidi and fiancé Chad Wilson of Mill River and Danielle Guidi of Worcester, Mass.; and great-granddaughters Aleeah and Caliana. He also leaves brother Robert Guidi of Port Charlotte, Florida; sister-in-law Alberta Parry Batchelor of Amarillo, Texas; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved cats Suzie and Bonnie. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Edward and Richard Guidi.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. Randall Willburn, interim pastor. Burial with military honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family requests memorials to be made to the First Congregational Church Manse Endowment Fund through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Condolences to the family may be shared at www.finnertyandstevens.com.
