Albert Thomas Guarino

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Albert T. Guarino on January 18, 2025 at the age of 89. Al was born on September 28, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York, to Albert and Rose Guarino. After completing high school in Garden City, Long Island, New York, Al attended St. Lawrence University where he was in ROTC and studied business, psychology and his favorite subject “fun times”. He often shared stories about when he and his college buddies crossed the Canadian border to visit local dance clubs. He would smile while sharing how they crossed the border so often, the border patrol would see them coming and simply wave them through. After graduating in 1957, he returned to Garden City to marry his high school sweetheart and love of his life Gloria (Glo) Carver. As a newlywed, Al proudly served as an officer in the Army from 1957 – 1965. His face would beam with pride as he told stories of his army career. Many of those stories had high level information he could not share, but he shared what he could with great pride. Al and Glo raised their four daughters, Dori, Donna, Debi and Dawn, in St. James, Long Island, New York. In 1972, they decided to pack their girls and move south, landing in Blacksburg, Virginia. Al often said “I wasn’t born in the South, but I got here as fast as I could”. The family quickly became avid Hokie fans, attending football and basketball games and various other sports activities on campus. Al was an active member and past president of the Blacksburg Kiwanis Club, fulfilling his desire to help support children in need. Al was the Plant Manager at Wolverine in Blacksburg, Virginia and Leesburg, Florida. During the 20 years he spent at Wolverine his stern and yet approachable management style created an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, resulting in many long-lasting relationships to this day. It is not uncommon for one of his daughters to run into a former employee of Al’s somewhere in town and share a pleasant or funny memory of him. This is such a great legacy to leave behind. In Al’s own words “I’ve lived a good life and I go to my maker with no regrets”.

In addition to his parents, Al is predeceased by his sister, Josephine Baxter; his first wife of 43 years (and mother of his four daughters) Gloria Carver Guarino; and his second wife Joyce Tope. He leaves behind his wife Mary McFerren and her family, and his four daughters Dori Dunn of Christiansburg, VA; Donna Burford of Charlotte, NC; Debi Darnell of Christiansburg VA; and Dawn Pouliot of Wilmington, NC; as well as 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. 

To honor all that Al was to everyone, the family will receive friends at Horne Funeral Home, 1300 N. Franklin Street, Christiansburg, VA on Friday January 31, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Family and friends are invited to come and share fond memories and stories. There will be a graveside service at Roselawn Gardens in Christiansburg VA for family and friends on Saturday February 1 at 1:00pm. The services will be officiated by Tommy McDearis, Blacksburg Baptist Church. Watch for updates as the location of the service may be moved to the mausoleum due to weather.