Richard James McGuinness

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, James and Muriel McGuinness. He is survived by his spouse Aurelia McGuinness; his four children Richard, Robert, Mary, and Colleen; four grandchildren Richard, James, Grace, and Edith; his sister Jane McGuinness; and a host of relatives and friends.

Richard joined the military in 1969. Throughout the course of his career, Richard attained many awards and recognitions for his outstanding service. To include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Superior Unit Medal, Parachutist Badge, Sudanese Parachutist Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Ranger Tab. In 1984, Richard established the Weapons and Marksmanship Committee at the Military Training Center of El Salvador. This center set the standard for military training centers throughout Central America. In that same year, he graduated from the Spanish Linguist Course at the Defense Language Institute in Presidio of Monterey, California. In 1985-1987, he became a team member and senior medic for the Intelligence Gathering Team in Fort Davis, Panama. Richard was also an operations sergeant in a Special Forces unit in 1989, which participated in Operation Just Cause and was in the City of San Salvador during the F.M.L.N. November Offensive and also an advisor to the 4th Infantry Brigade in El Salvador. With over 6 years of Foreign Service, one year as an Infantryman, and 14 years as Special Forces, Richard decided to hang up his boots after serving 24 years in the Armed Forces. Mr. McGuinness retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Army.

After leaving from the military, Richard continued to serve and protect. In 1994-1998, Richard worked as a security advisor to President Aristede and Preval’s personal security detachment in Port au Prince, Haiti. Responsible for advance, route selection and conduct of motorcades and CP operations. He also spent at least 5 years working in Iraq as a security advisor. After he completed his service as a security advisor, Richard decided to go back to school to finish his degree at Methodist College majoring in History and Spanish. In 2000, he graduated magna cum laude, receiving his B.A and the History Department Award for academic achievement. After school, he worked as the area security manager for Helmerich & Payne Inc in Quito, Ecuador. He provided executive protection services for company personnel traveling between sites as well as for executive visiting sites.

After retirement, Richard spent most of his time traveling. His favorite pastime was reading and watching football, especially Notre Dame fighting Irish. He loved football so much, that he still wore his college football jersey from Liu- Post, #65. Richard was a man of God. He found a home at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville. His family would also describe him as a funny guy. Mr. McGuinness kept that sense of humor until the day the lord called him home.

A rosary service for Richard will be held Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9:30 AM. A funeral mass will occur Friday, September 13, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2844 Village Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304. A burial with military honors will occur Friday, September 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 400 Murchison Rd., Spring Lake, North Carolina 28390.

Richard will be laid to rest in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 400 Murchison Rd., Spring Lake, North Carolina 28390.