Celebration
to honor the life of a great man
JOHN W. GUFFEY, JR.
1938-2020
Passed away on Christmas Day
Family and Friends,
please join us for a virtual online gathering.
Sunday, February 7
4:00-6:00pm
Share your favorite memories,
laugh, cry and salute
this exceptional man.
To register:
Please follow instructions below.
Beloved
by
Four Generations
It is with great sadness we share that John W. Guffey, Jr., our father and grandfather passed away on Christmas Day, surrounded by beloved family in Greenville, South Carolina. He will be remembered for his graciousness, humility and love for his family. We will always remember his beautiful deep blue eyes, inappropriate jokes during family dinners and the way his shoulders shook as he giggled. He took pleasure in simple things; cheeseburgers, enjoying a sunset on the porch and Sunday crossword puzzles.
John answered to many names: Dad, Grandpa, G. He was the loving husband to Monique Guffey for 21 years, proud father to Mark and Terri, grandfather to five grandchildren (Ryan, Danielle, John, Deanne, Addie) and proud great-grandfather to Colton, Barrett and Blayke.
John touched so many lives in his 30,273 days on earth. The outpouring of love in his final days and hours has been a testament to this. He had a kind and beautiful heart that loved all walks of life, always saw the best in people, and always offered a second chance to those who needed it most. While our hearts are broken to say goodbye, we were blessed to share the world with one of the best.
We love you Grandpa.
Online Celebration of Life
Sunday, February 7
4:00 PM Eastern
Before the day of the ceremony
1. Please register to attend the ceremony by clicking the button below.
2. If you do not already have Zoom, please download the application below.
On the day of the ceremony
Please refer to your registration email for instructions on joining the ceremony. Feel free to email hello@lightenarrangements.com if you need help.
More About John
John W. Guffey, Jr.’s legendary trajectory from humble beginnings in Youngstown, Ohio, to executive maverick and innovator in manufacturing included leadership roles at Garlock, Inc., General Tire & Rubber, Aeroquip and Carlisle Corp, and led to his role as chairman and chief executive at Coltec Industries.
Headquartered in New York City and later in Charlotte, North Carolina, after which it was acquired by B.F. Goodrich, Coltec Industries was a diversified manufacturer of aerospace, automotive and industrial products. Named chairman, president and chief executive officer in 1994, Guffey would sell off the less profitable automotive division, optimize core operations, differentiate from the competition, and invest in technology and supply chain systems to fuel growth through intense cost focus. Guffey would later lead the controversial, but synergistic, powerhouse merger of Coltec and B.F. Goodrich in 1999 that began over talks in a small Columbus, Ohio coffee shop with chairman and chief executive, Dave Burner.
Read more about John’s personal & professional accomplishments
Guestbook
Please use this guestbook to share your condolences and thoughts with John’s family.
He indeed was a lovely, kind man with a wicked sense of humor. I know all that met him enjoyed that meeting.
Mr. Guffey and my late Father, James Edward Sturgeon worked for many years at Aeroquip Republic Rubber on Albert Street in Youngstown, Ohio. My Father had a great admiration for Mr. Guffey and talked about him frequently. I could remember my Father talking about Mr. Guffey when I was a young girl and later, as an adult. The relationship had a foundation of true respect and friendship that far outlasted their time at Aeroquip. When my Father became ill some years ago, it was his wish that I reach out and locate Mr. Guffey. I had to meet this remarkable man. John Guffey and his lovely wife, Monique, invited my husband and I to their beautiful home when we were in the South Carolina area. That time together will never be forgotten. Mr. Guffey and Monique were gracious hosts. I treasured that visit and remain thankful that I could keep a promise I made to my dear Father years ago. Rest in peace, John W. Guffey, Jr., you will not be forgotten. Blessings to you and your family, Patty Kelshaw
John was a man who loved people. I will miss the times we joked, most especially when we laughed about being brothers from another mother. John looked out for others, and he made me and others feel like family. John will be missed. May he Rest In Peace.
My father Pat Sterry and John were great friends during the Garlock years. They not only loved manufacturing but golf and John went fishing to Alaska with my dad several times. I’m hoping that they are both in heaven eating salmon after a great game of golf!!!
Well said Pat and John’s friendship was very strong both fun loving smoking drinking tough Irishman
I met John and Monique in 2000 shortly after he retired to his home at Bachelors Point in Oxford, Maryland. He loved his boat and their dog “LUBA GAL”. The bench they dedicated to Luba Gal is still in place overlooking the Tred Avon River I spent a lot of time with John and Monique and enjoyed them immensely . Later after they moved to South Carolina I talked to John about his latest business ventures which were never ending. He was one of the good guys.
I met John in grade school in N.M. that is when the fun started and carried on to high school in Petersburg, OH. Those were good years, we were a good “bunch” and have good memories
Including being King and Queen of our Senior year Prom.
Over the years we started class reunions every five years – then every year and John came to them all regardless of where he lived. Friendship is a gift I believe and many times there was a phone call from John asking about our classmates. If there was a serious sickness or death that person received a plant or phone call from John- he never forgot those good old days and the folks that lived them. I talked with John shortly before he went to the hospital, as usual he was happy and thankful for life – he left us with a wonderful Friendship.
One of the toughest smartest businessman I had the pleasure of working with.
Those piecing blue eyes looked right through you and always looked at the solution not the problem using all his great industry experience. RIP
I was fortunate to meet John Guffey through Monique, my friend since age thirteen. He was gracious to offer his boat, Tender Mercies in Marsh Harbor for a week some years ago. He was a sweet, smart, man with a great sense of humor. I was lucky to have met him.
love you!
This man literally saved my life. And made me laugh and made me think.
Thank you John.
Xxx
John was one of the kindest, least judge mental people I have ever met. I met him at my lowest and he saw the good in me. I could tell but the way he spoke to me and treated me as a true friend. His friendship gave me hope in a terrible time in my life and was like a “ray of sunshine” thank you John, I’ll always remember you. I am sorry that I was not able to make it to the service today. My condolences to all of you remaining family. He loved and admired you all so very much.
I had the first family Smith reunion & I remember Johnny coming in the kitchen & said oh is those grandma Smith home made noodles. I said no they are mine & he started laughing. That was the first time we met Mo & she fit right in with our family. That was on July 4th 2003 . Johnny said honey do you need any thing & I told him I was doing good & he gave me a big hug. The Smith family were all bless to have Christian parents & grandma Smith would be so please that we still all keep in touch. The next reunion won’t be the same with out you Jonny but you will still be in our hearts. You will always be a Jonny to me.
Love your cousin Joy Sue Wymer