Anthony (Tony) Thomas Guzzo, 90, of Birmingham, Alabama, entered life eternal on the morning of February 21, 2016 having been surrounded by his immediate family and long-time caregiver. He was born in Buffalo, NY on March 27, 1925 to Francesco and Maria Guiseppa Erminia Mazza Guzzo who predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Ray Barran Guzzo along with his seven brothers, James, John, Dominic, Joseph, Rocco, Louis, and Samuel.
He is survived by his son, Mark Guzzo (Melany) of Birmingham, Alabama; two daughters, Lisa Guzzo Knight (Jeff) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and Lori Guzzo Linner (Robert) of Cocoa Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Adam Guzzo (Julie) of Falls Church, Virginia, Ben Guzzo of Birmingham, Alabama, Jessie Knight DeLoach (Alex) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Hallie Knight of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; and great-grandchildren, Ella Kate and Avery Anne Guzzo.
Mr. Guzzo had a distinguished aerospace career with Thiokol Chemical Corporation for 37 years, retiring in 1985. He was one of the cadres of men and women who pioneered our country’s space race and created technologies that strengthened and protected our nation during the cold war era. He graduated from Cornell University in 1948 with a BS degree in chemical engineering. His career with Thiokol began in Elkton, Maryland, took him to Huntsville, Alabama, as Chief Process engineer, and then back to Elkton as head of the Projects department. From there, he moved to Brigham City, Utah in 1957 as the initial head of manufacturing of the Utah division at the company’s new plant for constructing large solid propellant rocket motors. He was promoted to Director of Technical Operations there in 1958. In a later role, he served as chairman of corporate process and corporate quality control committees. He came back to Huntsville in 1965 and the family followed in early 1966. He was a licensed professional engineer and held professional affiliations in the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Ordinance Association.
Mr. Guzzo was a beloved husband, devoted father and loyal friend. He was a tender and servant-hearted man who delighted in people and was generous with his time, talents and resources, especially toward his extended family. His smile was irresistible. He owned and oversaw an 800-acre cattle farm in north Alabama for over 10 years. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, cooking and hosting gatherings with his wife and family.
The family expresses extreme gratitude and special admiration for Ms. Tunisia L. Jones of Birmingham, Alabama, who lovingly served as his caregiver over the past six years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (alzca.org) or nationally at alz.org.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Huntsville, Alabama on February 26 at 12 noon with visitation at the church beginning at 10:30 am. A brief graveside service will be held at Limestone Memorial Gardens cemetery in Athens, Alabama immediately after the church service. Father Michael Mac Mahon will celebrate the Mass.
