Igor Guro

Igor Guro, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away at his home on Thursday April 6, 2023. Igor was born in Russia on June 27th, 1941, to his parents Wassiliy Guro and Mary Guro. Igor arrived with his parents at Ellis Island in 1953 and later settled in Michigan to attend both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan where he obtained a master’s degree in Russian Literature.

Igor spent some of his days working for the State of Michigan in Public Health and then later as a Consultant and Russian translator, neither of which he would want considered his life work. Igor was an artist, a gardener, a storyteller, an expert in utilizing the art of “selective hearing”, a giver, and a fisherman. He did not care for the material items in life as he did for the sunsets, the natural beauty in a landscape or a shoreline, spending time with his family and the many cherished friends he had collected throughout his lifetime. Igor was a devoted feeder to the squirrels and the birds, even going so far as to direct his wife to hand over her breakfast when he could not get to the patio door quick enough to throw them some peanuts. Igor was a healer to any injured wildlife he stumbled upon and when his daughter called upon him to assist, he gladly showed up with a box and a blanket for the saving. He will be remembered for his affinity towards Russian opera music, faux fur hats, gazpacho and borscht making, and the strength that he carried through his life and to his final breath. Those who knew him knew he loved his family, his beloved family dogs, and was never one to disappoint with his wit or his kindness.

Igor was a proud member of MENSA but even that could not negate the continuous battle he held with his cell phone “how do you work this thing?” He was also a believer of Russian superstition passing along his belief that you don’t dare vacuum after sunset, whistle in the house, celebrate birthdays prior to the day, and attempting to decipher when odd vs even numbers are okay to use. He cherished stories of Coral Gables restaurant during his college days as well as the many moments that occurred in the back room of a local party store.

Igor would say his greatest accomplishment in life though was his family. He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, and a proud grandfather. Igor leaves behind his wife Celia of nearly fifty-eight years whom he met at Michigan State University and fell in love with to the song Moon River; his son Gregory Guro; daughter Stephanie (Craig) Short; grandchildren Jonah Brown, Ella Brown whom he loved with all his heart. Igor became a softer man when his first grandchild Jonah was born and then with the birth of his granddaughter Ella. He also leaves behind his “buddy” Craig Short (husband to Stephanie) who taught him the love of watching MSU basketball and who took over feeding the wildlife when Igor could not. Igor would want those who knew and loved him to know that he loves you back, to tell those you love that you love them, and to thank you for being part of his story. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS), the MSU Horticultural Gardens, or to pay an act of kindness forward to someone who crosses your path and let them know that “Igor sent you “.

We will continue always to laugh and to love in honor of you.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday April 19th, 2023, at 1pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing MI 48823. A burial service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 2600 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910.