Francisco F. Guzman went peacefully, to be with our Lord, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Pancho was born June 16, 1923, to Maria and Francisco Guzman in Purisma Del Rincon GTO, México.
He grew up in San Pedro, where he and his nine siblings lived and went to school. Pancho graduated from Hayden High School and soon began to work for Asarco, where he became a boilermaker and retired after 41 years. Pancho was among the first to organize a labor union, called The Mine Mill and later becoming Local 886. He served as both vice president and financial secretary. In 1944, he enlisted into the Army and served his country during World War II.
Pancho married Betty Garcia and on Sept. 15, 2013 they celebrated 71 years of marriage. They had seven children.
Surviving him are children, Frank Guzman of North Carolina, Daniel (Irma) Guzman of Dudleyville, Robert Guzman of Dudleyville, Laura (Michael) Real of Kearny and John Guzman of Gilbert; 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
Pancho was dedicated to his church at St. Joseph’s Parish. He was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, a Cursilista and the love of his life was singing and guitar playing as a member in the church choir. He was also in the Hispanic Council based out of Tucson, under the direction of Bishop Moreno.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Guzman, daughter Norma Celis, son Jimmie Guzman and granddaughter Angelica Guzman.
Pancho’s greatest dedication was serving our Lord with a happy heart, because, he truly knew that his treasures in heaven were soon to come. He would say , “Go to church, pray and be a faithful servant to God, and, when I leave, I will save you a campito en el Cielo.” He was a wonderful husband, father and a loving Tata. His special message to his grandchildren was “God bless you, and, I love you, all the way to Heaven.”
Funeral services will be held Sat., Feb. 15, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hayden. A viewing will be held at 8:30 a.m., followed by Rosary at 9 a.m. and the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Mountain View cemetery in Hayden.