Joseph Guntor

OXFORD - Joseph P. Guntor, 90, of Locust Street, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at UMass Memorial Medical Center - Memorial Campus, after a long and fulfilling life. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Claudia A. (Scaldini) Guntor of Oxford; his daughter, Cheryl A. Lotti and her husband Dennis of Oxford; two grandsons, Jason V. Lotti of Oxford, and Jonathan J. Lotti and his wife Jodie of Auburn; a great grandson, Evan J. Lotti of Oxford; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by three brothers, Charles Guntor, John Guntor, and William Guntor; and a sister, Florence McCormack. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Joseph P. and Tekla (Galeckiute) Guntor Sr., and lived in Cherry Valley before moving to Oxford 52 years ago. He was a decorated World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Guadalcanal with the Americal division. Mr. Guntor was a machinist at Reed Rolled Thread and Die Co. in Holden for over 30 years, retiring in 1980. After the war, he was a truck driver for several years. Following retirement, he was a special police officer at Worcester State College for several years. Mr. Guntor was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Pine Ridge Country Club in North Oxford, and was a member of St. Roch's Church in Oxford. He enjoyed fishing and model trains, and loved to visit Cape Cod. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. A private family burial will be held at North Cemetery, Oxford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, is assisting the family with arrangements.