Marlborough – John H. Guiou, 93, a long-time resident of Marlborough, passed away on March 9, 2021 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester following a short illness.
He was the son of the late Roy E. and Helen (Bither) Guiou and beloved husband of Cathie (Matheson) Guiou, to whom he was married for 68 years. He was predeceased by his sister, Jean Louis.
John was a “Son of Maine” born and raised in Aroostook County. The Guiou family were involved in agriculture, timber, and automotive mechanics. John shared many stories of the challenges growing up during the depression. The Guiou family suffered from the untimely death of John’s only sibling, a younger sister, Jean, to pneumonia when John was 7 years old. John’s ability to persevere in difficult times were formed during these times.
The Guiou family moved to Watertown when John was 12 years old. He became smitten with his classmate and next-door neighbor, Cathie Matheson. They courted, frequently often taking the “street car” to dance to Big Bands at the Totem Pole Ballroom at Norumbega Park.
John attended Watertown High School where he exceled at baseball and basketball, and was a saxophone player in the band. Following graduation in 1946, John went on to serve in the United States Navy, as a “belly gunner” on the Grumman Avenger Torpedo Bomber.
Following military service, John returned to Watertown, and married his childhood sweetheart “Cathie.” Dad often said she was his one and only love.
John attended Wentworth Institute, and went to work in the commercial insurance business, finishing his career as a Vice President with Johnson & Higgins of Boston.
John and Cathie settled in Marlborough, where they raised their three children. He was active in the community, in the Boy Scouts of America as a scoutmaster, and involved in Marlborough Youth Baseball as both a coach and an umpire.
Service to God and the church was an important part of John’s life, as a member of Sudbury United Methodist Church until his death.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Don B. Guiou, John M. Guiou and his wife Ann (Murphy) of Medway, and Karyl J. Learmonth and her husband Jerry of Gardner. John is also survived by his grandchildren, Donnie Guiou, Julia Guiou and her fiancée Ryan Puzzo, Phillip Learmonth and his wife Kim, Whitney Guiou, Connor Guiou and Jordan Learmonth, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 20, at 11 a.m., at the Sudbury United Methodist Church, 251 Old Sudbury Rd., Sudbury.
