Michael John Guiry Jr.

Michael John Guiry, Jr. of Jacksonville Florida passed away peacefully at home in his favorite chair on October 14, 2025. Mike was blessed to be surrounded in his last moments of life by all of his children, siblings, and friends. Mike fought a short but heroic battle with pancreatic cancer in his last year of life. He was born in Brooklyn New York on December 27, 1951, to the late Margaret and Michael Guiry, Sr. After attending Cathedral Preparatory High School and St Francis College, Mike joined the US Navy in October 1970 . Mike married his childhood sweetheart, Cathy (nee) Devlin. They began their long and whirlwind adventures together, traveling the world including his first duty station in Rota Spain. During his distinguished military career, Mike earned many commendations and awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, (two) Navy Commendation Medals, and (six) Good Conduct Medals. Mike served proudly as an Electronic Technician and Surface Warfare sailor. After 27 years of service,Mike retired from the Navy, rising to the highest enlisted rank of Command Master Chief.

In 1997 Mike graduated with his Bachelors’ degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University . Following his military retirement, Mike began his second successful career with LSI, a military contractor. He successfully managed Army training contracts, and rose to the Board of Directors as a Chief Production Officer. Mike retired from LSI in 2018 after 20 years of dedicated service

After retirement, Mike enjoyed hosting family celebrations at his banquet table for Sunday breakfasts, Easter egg hunts, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day family gatherings, everyone’s birthday, anniversary, or the days of the week. Mike also enjoyed playing golf, though not always mastering the greens but he enjoyed the comradeship of his friends or children. He also became a seafaring sailor again, this time on luxury cruise ships that took him to faraway islands, palm trees and sandy beaches. Mike enjoyed old John Wayne movies, old radio shows, Willie Nelson, and watching Mash every night. He proudly wore Jaguar colors, , but remained a NY Giants fan in his heart. He enjoyed doing yard work, and enjoyed supervising his kids moving patio stones in every June.

Above and beyond all his successes, awards, and achievements, his greatest pride and joy and reason to live was being Pops, Dad, grandpa, gpa, and/or big brother or Uncle Mike the Sailor. Through the years, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren play basketball, baseball, football or soccer games from Happy Feet up to seeing his grandson on television as the Goalkeeper for West Point in his final moment.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved Nana; his sisters, Regina Roginski and Ellen McConnell; his mother and father-in-law Catherine and John Devlin, his brother-in-law Patrick Devlin and his beloved sister-in-law, Mary Mandry Tarsha.

Mike quietly left this world and his loving wife of 53 years, Cathy. He left behind his ever growing family to carry on his legacy. His sons- Michael John Guiry 3rd and Tahoma (nee Hoadley); Brian Christopher Guiry and Ashley (nee Paul); Philip Francis Guiry and Rachel Cook; his first princess Erin Patricia Scott (nee Guiry) and his bonus sons, Mohammad Khalil Tarsha and Samir Khalil Tarsha.

His dadism, jokes and words of wisdom will always be loving remembered and cherished by his grandchildren, Mackenzie, Peyton and Mikey Guiry; Hunter and Parker Scott; Sloane Guiry; and Kieran Guiry. Stories of his life and love will be shared with his newest grandchild Emmett Lewis Guiry.

Mike is also missed by his siblings, Deborah and Bobby Bilello; Robert Guiry; Margaret Guiry; Anne and Les Parleman as well as his in-law siblings, Mike McConnell, John Devlin; Lenore Bartlett Devlin; Rita Devlin, and Kevin and Sheila Devlin.

Mike also left behind 21 nieces and nephews (and their spouses), cousins, grand nieces and nephews and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Mike’s love of God and Country will be honored at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on April 10. The service will begin sharply at 1:30. Parking is very limited, so car pooling is highly recommended.

Following his military honors, friends of Mike and our family are all invited to his celebration of life at Culhane’s Irish Pub. The family requests you wear your best and proper tropical attire (no cut offs please) and join them in a toast to Mike’s life, legacy and love with tall stories and memories of your time spent with him. Celebration will begin at 3:00 and continue throughout the afternoon.

Culhane’s Irish Pub

9720 Deer Lake Court

Jacksonville 32246 (near Tinseltown movies)

(904) 619-3177

In Mike’s infamous words, “ Great party, but no whiskey….We go home!” (McLintock).