Gerald (Jerry) L. Guinan of Mobile, Ala., passed on Jan. 22, 2023, at the age of 88 years. He is survived by his wife, Judith E. Guinan; daughter, Joan Chadick (married to John); grandchildren, Brittany Pickens (married to Jeremy) and Taylor Chadick; daughter, Jane Boulo (married to Tyler); granddaughter, Rachel King; great-granddaughter, Audrey Jane Cook; granddaughter, Nicole Mayer (married to Bryan); great-grandsons, Davis and Maddox; and Jennifer Guinan (married to Charles Robins). He is also survived by his brothers, Jack Guinan of Dallas, Texas, and Frank Guinan of Missouri Valley.
Born in Missouri Valley, he met his true love and ever-patient wife of 68 years, Judy, in high school when she wowed him with her basketball skills. “Hey Jude” was always his favorite song, and he’d whistle around the house. Together they created an adventure: moving out west to Oregon and Washington and then south to New Orleans and settling in Mobile. They traveled to Brazil, Costa Rica, China, Korea, Japan, Europe and more. They raised their three daughters, ensuring each would be independent and strong.
Jerry lived a life told in stories. He once shot a bear to protect his toddlers when it decided that the sandbox was a fun place to hang out. He once survived a sinking sailboat late into the night in Lake Ponchartrain. He once toasted strangers he met on a ferry in China well into the night. These and more are the stories that his family and friends will remember.
Throughout his life, he was a man of intense hobbies: he was at his happiest sailing around Mobile Bay (on the “Hey Jude” of course); he roasted his own coffee buying bags of green beans from Costa Rica; installed an antique brick floor in his house – sanding then cleaning every inch and every dusty dish in the house and then deciding to sand it once again; distilled moonshine and other spirits; created stained glass art; explored World War II history (especially the Pacific theater) and loved touring battleships and battle sites; and created a beautiful Japanese garden, hand clipping jasmine and pulling weeds while battling squirrels. He hosted elaborate meals for family in friends as he dove deep into Cajun, Japanese and Brazilian cuisine. Hobbies would come and go, but he would always dive into the next with the same energy and fervor.
A forestry major who was dangerously allergic to stinging insects, Jerry left the woods for industry. He grew in the ranks of Plywood Paneling in New Orleans, and then Walled Lake Door (now Premdor) in Mobile, managing manufacturing plants and engineering new methodologies for wood products. At one time, his plant was the largest producer of doors for manufactured homes…who knew!
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Episcopal Church of the Redeemer or the charity of your choice. The family is indebted to Saads Healthcare hospice service and Mz T's Sitter Service for their compassionate care.
