Vicente “Vic” Guzman

Vicente “Vic” Guzman of Caro, age 93, passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 at Heritage Hill Assisted Living in Caro. Vic was born December 28, 1930 in Gattaran, Cagayan in the Philippines, the son of the late Alvaro and Juana (Calling) Guzman. He attended Catholic schools from elementary school through college, eventually earning a master’s degree in philosophy. On October 10, 1966, Vic was united in marriage with the love of his life, Maria Abuyuan in Quezon City, Philippines. Their marriage was blessed with over fifty-two years before Maria’s passing on February 22, 2019.

Vic began his career in education holding jobs as a teacher, youth minister, counselor, and eventually School Registrar at Guzman Institute of Electronics - a strange coincidence since the school and family are of no relation. During his time at Guzman Institute, Vic was elected National Vice President of all private vocational schools in the Philippines. In this capacity, he began to see the beginning of the political fiasco that evolved into the Ferdinand Marcos regime. With this knowledge and a job opportunity for his wife in Michigan, they made the momentous decision to move their family to the United States.

On June 13, 1972 Vic boarded a plane with 3 small children for the 36 hour journey that would take him from Manila International Airport to Tri-City Airport in Saginaw Michigan. This is where the family would reconnect with Maria who had left 3 months earlier to start her new job at Caro Community Hospital. Upon arrival, Vic had secured a job to teach Spanish at Cass City public Schools. Vic did not teach for long as one day after work he was met at home by an immigration border patrol officer who informed him, he needed to voluntarily leave the country or face deportation in 16 days for not having a work permit. The kind people of Caro were able to help him navigate this devastating blow, and the family was able to remain in the United States under the condition that he would not accept any job offers until he was granted a work permit. Thus began Vic’s “Stay at Home Dad” era which lasted 4 four years. Vic reentered the workforce as a Respiratory Technologist at Caro Community Hospital. With on-the-job training, and night school, he eventually became a Certified Respiratory Therapist. Vic spent the bulk of his career at Hills & Dales General Hospital in Cass City, a job he truly loved, retiring in 2001.

USA Citizenship, one of Vic's most notable life events came on July 4, 1984 at Detroit’s Hart Plaza where the family joined 150 people from all over the world to be sworn in as United States Citizens.

Vic was a faithful member of St. Christopher Parish Catholic Church where he served in a number of ministries. He was especially proud to be a founding member of God’s Group which has brought religious education and special events to those with intellectual disabilities. Vic served as a teacher and mentor in God’s Group for nearly 30 years. His favorite spiritual quote was from Saint Teresa of Calcutta, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Vic was a true man of faith and lived his life by God’s word. He was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, where he was a 4th Degree Knight, earned Family of the Year, and Knight of the Year. Vic had a kind soul and a fascinating life story that will be carried on for generations to come.

Vic leaves to cherish his memory, his five children and their spouses, Marirose & John Ilkka of Royal Oak, Alvin Guzman of Caro, Marijo & Scott Vollmar of Florence, Oregon, Michelle & Jim Turner of Traverse City, Andrew & Kyle Guzman-Sutton of Chicago; nine grandchildren, Nicholas, Samuel, and Joshua Ilkka, Luke, Nyah, Jonah, and Simone Vollmar, Jade and James Turner; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Vic was preceded in death by his sister, Librada “Li” Lumelay.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024 at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church in Caro with Rev. Isaac Madanu officiating. Burial will follow later in the day at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Caro. Vic’s family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. A Rosary Service will conclude Thursday’s visitation at the funeral home at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to St. Christopher Parish – God’s Group or Mundelein Seminary ( https://usml.edu/give/ ) to support the next generation of parish priests.