Michael Guerreiro

Michael (Mike) Guerreiro was born December 29, 1954 in San Jose, California to Clarence and Sadie Guerreiro (nee Guliuzzo). Mike entered into eternal rest Christmas morning, December 25, 2016, after a brave battle with cancer. He is survived by the person he cherished most in this world, his daughter, Michelle; his sister, Fran Scherer; niece, Lindsey West (Scott); one great-nephew; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and by many friends.

Mike graduated from Silver Creek High School in San Jose, California in 1973. He then attended De Anza College where he studied Welding and Metal Fabrication from 1975-1978. He began working at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California in 1980, where he worked as a Model Maker/Engineering Technician until his passing. Mike used his welding and mechanical skills for his passion of cars and could often be found at the San Jose Speedway working on late model stock cars in the pits and watching sprint car races at the Watsonville Speedway.

In 1995, Mike's world was radically changed and brightened by the birth of his daughter, Michelle. He was a proud and devoted father who worked hard for the love of his life, his little girl. Mike was active in supporting Michelle’s extra curricular efforts, traveling to her cheerleading competitions and helping the Divas Cheerleading team with fundraising efforts. He was especially excited to support Michelle’s graduation of midget racecar driving classes.

Mike was a generous and loving person with a big heart for animals. Not only would he come to the rescue of stray cats or dogs, he hated to see any animal suffer and didn't want to give up if there was something he could do to help. For example, Mike devoted a lot of time and love to helping his sister and niece’s golden retriever regain most of the use of her left side after suffering a stroke in 1989. His love for animals has continued his whole life and at the time of his passing he had several rescue animals.

From his childhood, Mike loved cars and would often build model cars and trucks. One of his greatest passions, outside of his devotion to his daughter, was his involvement and membership with the F-100 Elite truck club of Northern California. He was a proud member from June of 1974 to the time of his passing and was declared a lifetime member, which is a rare and honorable award. Mike was very involved with the North/South F-100 Run; he attended over 40 runs and participated on the planning committee with his daughter. He will be greatly missed by his friends in the F-100 Elite truck club and the whole car show community.

Services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 1pm at Lima Family Santa Clara, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara.