Desmond Patrick McGuire, 79, passed away March 5, 2019 after a long illness.
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1939, he emigrated to the United States at age 17. He landed in New York City and found his first home in the Bronx. He then served honorably in the Army from 1960-1966, including time in the Berlin Brigade at the height of the Cold War, as the Berlin Wall was being built.
After the Army, he started in the mailroom of Trans World Airlines. Through 35 years of service, he worked his way up to Manager of Flight Attendants, overseeing several thousand TWA employees. His travels took him around the world twice, returning many times to Paris, Milan, Rome, and Portugal; his favorite places. St Petersburg, FL topped the list when he and his family settled there in 1989.
He was a devoted member of St. Raphael Catholic Church and a dedicated volunteer with the VA Hospital.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Patricia McGuire, two sons, Josh McGuire (of Los Angeles), LT Morgan McGuire MD (US Navy) and his wife Kristen (of San Diego), his grandson (and namesake) Desmond Patrick McGuire, a set of twins granddaughters due in June, and many nieces & nephews.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 9th at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Island Blvd NE, St. Petersburg. Family will receive friends one hour before the service with a reception to follow.
Please share a memory of Des and sign his guestbook at www.VeteransFuneralCare.com
Des has been our friend since 1978 when we all lived in Connecticut, and through the years with good times in Florida. Des was a proud army veteran serving in Germany during the Cold War Era, and worked at TWA during the airline’s golden years. Our thoughts and prayers for Pat, Josh, Morgan and families. RIP old friend…we will miss you.
Rodney – Colleen Fowler
Dear Pat,
I’m so sorry to hear that Des has passed. Please know that I am thinking of you and your sons.
Des was a very lucky man to have such a devoted and loving wife. You have been a shining example of true love. May you find comfort in the love of your family and friends. I miss you.
Love Lorraine
Pat,
I am grateful for his service to our great nation and his TWA story is inspiring, but meeting his sons, after knowing and working with you, tells me more about him and wishing I had known him better. You don’t raise great sons accidentally. May our God bless you and your entire family as you mourn this huge loss..
RIP Des, You will be missed
I flew with Des often in the seventies. He was kind and funny and a joy to fly with on those 707’s to Europe. Everyone who met him, loved him. Condolences to his family
Dear Pat,
Words cannot express my deepest sympathy for you, your sons grandchildren and the twins.
I met Des in the early 80s. He was a wealth of information, a true gentleman, and so much fun with that Irish sense of humor, this was before Morgan was born. Above all, he was so proud of his family and You. You were his rock and he knew it. In recent years, we reconnected on FB, so I knew about his health and namesake. I can’t remember his nickname for him, but it was true vintage McGuire. I hope you may find comfort in your memories and love. He will be missed by all that knew him.
My condolences to the entire Family and loved ones of Des McGuire. A wonderful person and a great peer at TWA. Remember him very well, a respectful and professional Person. Shall he rest in peace.
Dearest Pat. I just heard about Des today. The news made me very sad . I truly liked him. As my instructor when I went through purser training and later as my DCS colleague, and finally as my manager when I returned to the line. We had fun together. He was a true gentleman, a very kind spirit. I never heard a bad word spoken about Des. Although I stopped with Facebook, I did connect with him last year. We exchanged family info. I could see from his references to you and his children and grand child, that was very proud of all of you. May he Rest In Peace
Best Lou Donde
So sorry for your loss SORRY we just found out. Thinking of you in this trying time
Your Friends Buzz and Denise Hanson