Tereso (Teddy or Ted) Guzman, 88, of Hayden (San Miguel), Arizona peacefully passed into Jesus Christ’s loving arms on Oct. 2, 2024. His faith in God, love of his Parish and his devotion to the Divine Mercy were unsurpassed. He left us during the Hour of Mercy while his granddaughter led the family in prayer. His serene departure is an example to us of our Lord’s unlimited mercy.
Tereso worked for Kennecott Copper and ASARCO for over four decades. He was well known and highly respected for his prowess as a brick mason. He was the go-to man, no job was too difficult for him and he was called on constantly to do the hardest jobs. He took on these tasks with the can-do attitude that we all knew him for.
He was an avid golfer and loved the game like no other. He was known for “the LONG BALL,” which translates to non-golfers as how far he could drive the ball off the tee. Not a single player who knew him would begin their own stories without first saying how far this man could drive the golf ball. As the very muscular barrel-chested man he was, it’s no surprise that he could out drive men half his age. Most of all he was a staunch competitor and he played to win just like his brothers, Pete, Andy and Abe!
In addition to golf, he also played softball. His love of music is well known to us all and he seemed to have a cassette tape or CD for any and all occasions!
He also served in every position in St Joesph’s Parish (minus parish priest of course). Ted was very civic minded. He was elected to the Hayden Town Council and served three terms with the honesty, courage and commitment to excellence he was so well known for.
Teddy’s family was everything to him. No matter if you were a brother or sister, son or daughter, grandchild, great-grandchild and yes EVEN A GREAT-GREAT-GRANDCHILD, he had time for you. Whether you are blood or married into his family, it simply didn’t matter. Everyone was treated the way they treated him, no more and no less. He had a computer-like memory with not just everyone’s birthdays but things they liked or what was important to them. He was simply AMAZING IN THE LOVE, CARE AND COMMITMENT HE HAD FOR HIS FAMILY. We are all the better for knowing him and blessed to have such a positive role model to follow.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Maria Guzman; his siblings, Pancho, Paula, Nixie, Isaac, Peter, Andres, Amador, Julie, Felix and Mariana; and children, Francisco and Jose.
He is survived by his brother, Abran Guzman; and his loving children, Rosalia Amado, Yolanda Francis and Eddie Guzman. His legacy of love continues through his 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Services were held Saturday, Oct. 12, at the St. Joseph Parish in Hayden. A luncheon was held in his honor at the Hayden Senior Center.