Joe was born in Manila, Philippines in 1936. He was the oldest child of Jacinto and Rosario DeGuzman. He earned his bachelor of science in Chemistry from the University of Santo Thomas in Manila, Philippines in 1957. Joe was awarded a Fulbright scholarship by the United States Education Foundation in the Philippines in 1964. With this he was able to attend the Catholic University of America in Washington DC, where he earned his Masters in 1968, followed by his PHD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in 1971. Afterwards, while working at Case Western University in Cleveland, OH, he met the love of his life, Blessie, and married in 1973. Together, they raised a family and eventually moved to Chattanooga, TN in 1979. That same year he was naturalized as a US citizen and never took the opportunities that came with this for granted.
Joe worked for over twenty years at TVA, and after retirement enjoyed teaching part-time at Chattanooga State. He could always be found with a camera in his hand and loved taking photographs of his family and friends on birthdays, holidays or really any occasion. He enjoyed electronic gadgets and had a newer iPhone than his kids and was still active on social media until his passing.
Joe was a loving husband, proud father of three, doting grandfather, funny uncle, and fierce friend to those he met along his life. He was fortunate to have found a wonderful community in Chattanooga including his potluck group of forty years and his St Jude church family. He will be sorely missed.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Jacinto and Rosario DeGuzman, sisters, Zenaida and Felicissima, half siblings, Mila, Joselito, Jacinto Jr, Joel, Jovita and his beloved wife, Blessie DeGuzman.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Joseph, Jocelyn (William Lewis) and Jonathan DeGuzman, his favorite granddaughter, Brooklyn, his half-siblings, Rogelio, Imelda McConnon, Susana Rushing, Josephine Escandor, Julieta Hernandez, Juan Chito, Joseph, and Aldrin, along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
A visitation for Joe will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at St Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace.
A funeral mass will follow at 2:00 PM with Father Charlie Burton officiating, followed by entombment at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St Jude Catholic Church Chattanooga at: www.stjudechattanooga.org.
The family would like to offer their sincere thanks to Amedysis Hospice, Debbie, Christy, Grizzie, and Crystal for their loving care of Joe and the family during the last few weeks of his journey on Earth.
Please share your thoughts and memories at: www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com
Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153 Hixson, TN. 37343.
