MACHIASPORT and SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Viviano Johnny Guerra Jr., 72, went home to be with his Lord, March 7, 2004, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family and many friends. He was born Aug. 7, 1931, at Millett, Texas, raised in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Viviano R. and Wensesla (Velasquez) Guerra Sr. Upon his graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School, Viviano (John) enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 28, 1951. After service in the Korean Conflict, the Cuban Crisis, two tours in Vietnam and proudly serving his county for 22 years he retired on July 16, 1973. While in the service he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam), Good Conduct Medal (4th Award) for period ending 17 May 73, Navy achievement medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), and Vietnam Service Medal. Upon his retirement he returned to Maine with his family and entered service in the U.S. Border Patrol at Houlton. In 1977, he transferred to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service where he served at the Ports of Entry in Douglas, Ariz., Van Buren, Fort Fairfield, Calais, and until his retirement in April 1994, at the Port of Entry in Lubec. John then became employed at Maine Wild Blueberry Co. in Machias, where he worked for the next 10 years. John attended Ricker College in Houlton, and The University of Maine at Machias. He is survived by his loving wife, Joan (Prescott) Guerra of Machiasport; one daughter, Debbie and her husband of Redlands, Calif.; three sons, Larry Guerra of Redlands, Calif., Elson and his wife, Penny Guerra, of Machias, Prescott and his wife, Andrea Guerra, of Machias; five brothers, Alfred Guerra, Edward Guerra, Mario Guerra, Armando Guerra, all of San Antonio, Texas; and one special brother, Joe Guerra and his wife, Veronica, of Harker Heights, Texas; one sister, Maria Del Refuzio Ruiz of San Antonio, Texas; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Margarito Guerra and Richard Guerra; one son, Jeffery Guerra; and by his mother and father-in-law, William and Edith (Chandler) Prescott Sr. John was a member of the United Pentecostal Church in Fort Fairfield, East Machias, Machias, Jonesport and Cherryfield. Friends are invited to visit with the family 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Machias. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church on the Kennebec Road, Machias, with Pastor Mark Chandler officiating. Interment will be in the Church Hill Cemetery, Machiasport. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cherryfield Pentecostal Church Building Fund, 8 Unionville Road, Cherryfield, ME 04622. A memorial register is available on line at Legacy.com.
VIVIANO J. GUERRA JR.
