Dr. Wilfred Guerra Obituary (1914 - 2012)

READFIELD -- Wilfred Guerra passed away on April 28, 2012, at his home in Readfield, surrounded by family and his very dedicated caregivers. He is survived by five children and their spouses, William and wife Barbara, Michael and wife Theodora, Mary and husband Aaron Garate, James and wife Elizabeth, and John and wife Susanna; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Edna; brothers James and Eugene; and sisters Marie and Helyn. Wilfred was born Nov. 19, 1914, in New York City, son of Albino Guerra and Clementina DiPinto Guerra. He attended public schools in Brooklyn, N.Y., graduating from Erasmus Hall High School in 1933 as a member of the Arista Honor Society. After earning a bachelor's degree from Fordham University in 1937, he studied medicine at St. Louis University, was selected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society and graduated in 1941 with his medical doctorate. He completed a year internship at Cumberland City Hospital in Brooklyn before enlisting in the Army following the outbreak of World War II. He was commissioned First Lieutenant Army Medical Corps and attended the school of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas. As flight surgeon assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group, Wilfred served in many locations throughout the Southwest Pacific Arena, including New Guinea, the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. He earned several honors and was awarded the Soldier's Medal. His promotion to captain was at the order of Gen. D. MacArthur. Following WWII, Wilfred completed his surgical residency at the Jersey City Medical Center, where he met Edna Edwards, whom he married in 1951. He was certified by the American Board of Surgery and became a fellow at the American College of Surgeons. He established a private practice in Hempstead, N.Y., was named attending surgeon at Mercy Hospital, Rockville Centre and associate attending surgeon at Meadowbrook County Hospital, East Meadow, N.Y. In 1970, he was appointed assistant director of surgery at the USVA Hospital in Togus, Maine, leading the head and neck surgical unit. During his tenure, he participated in the Surgical Residency Training Programs and was recognized by the Resident Group at Maine Medical Center as Togus Teacher of the Year in 1983. He was a member of The American Medical Association, New England Cancer Society, and Emeritus member of the American Association for the Advance of Science, and New York Academy of Science. Wilfred was elected to the Readfield School Board Union No. 42, serving on the committee which dealt with plans for the opening of the new Maranacook Community School. Wilfred enjoyed his extended library of books and classical music. He was devoted to his wife and family and relished family dinners and gatherings. His kindness, compassion and sense of humor made him beloved by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed and dearly remembered. Visiting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Xavier Church, Route 133, Winthrop. Burial with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 7, in the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to either a Hospice program or veterans organization of their choice. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com