John Francis McGuire, age 95, of Hudson, WI (formerly of St. Croix Falls, WI and St. Paul, MN) died after a brief illness in Fort Myers, FL on Jan. 17, 2019. He was born on October 15, 1923 in Farmington, MN to Mary Catherine (Therres) McGuire and William McGuire.

John grew up in St. Paul, where he attended St. Mark’s grade school and graduated from St. Thomas Academy in 1942. He enlisted immediately after high school and served as a radio operator on the B-24 “Queen Louise” with the US 8th Air Force during World War II.  After his discharge in 1946, he attended the University of Denver and subsequently worked for Northwest Airlines, Heineken, McKesson & Robbins, and Griggs Cooper & Co.

John was an avid sports fan and connoisseur of fine cigars. He excelled in basketball and baseball in his early years, then transitioned his love of sports to golf.  In his retirement, he spent his winters in Fort Myers, where he treasured his time on the golf course.  John had an infectious smile and was quick to tell his friends (and total strangers) about his Irish Catholic heritage and love for the University of Notre Dame.  John attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Lakeland, MN), was active in the Hudson and Fort Myers chapters of AA, and participated in the annual “Tee It Up For The Vets” event in Hudson in his later years.

John is survived by his wife Delores (Richie) McGuire of Hudson, WI, his daughter Patty Deck (Jack) of St. Louis, MO, son John F. McGuire II (Cindy) of Bradenton, FL, stepdaughter Cathy Anthonsen (Bryan) of Cottage Grove, MN, and stepsons Scott Richie (Linda) of Stevensville, MD, Jeffrey Richie (Jo) of Hudson, WI, and Joseph Richie of Fort Myers, FL.  John is also survived by his beloved grandchildren (Shane Riley, Molly Riley, Meghan Fritsche, Kelly McGuire, Casey McGuire, Patrick McGuire, Mary McGuire, Matthew McGuire), step-grandchildren (Emily Maxwell, Angela Varness, Joseph Anthonsen, Andrea Testa, Robert Anthonsen, Ashley Hakes, Evan Hakes), 19 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren (Hannah Riley, Sophie Riley, Shane Michael Riley, Jacob Barnes, Brooke Barnes, Max Fritsche, Evelyn Fritsche, Gwendolyn Fritsche, Talia McGuire, Daniel McGuire, Knox McGuire, Morgan Testa, Nick Testa, Noah Testa, Ava Hodges, Beckett Hodges, Ian Hakes, Mazyn Hakes, and Emma Ray Maxwell), one great-great-grandchild (Audrianna Testa), as well as many dear relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Marcella Schoeppner and Rosary Dick, and his brothers Leo McGuire, William McGuire and O.B. “Picy” McGuire.