Ricardo Gabriel Guerra

Ricardo Gabriel Guerra of Athens, GA, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family, on Dec 27, 2022. He’d recently celebrated his 79th birthday.

Born Nov 11, 1943, in the Republic of Panama to Antonio and Victoria Guerra, Ricardo was one of 6 children, having 3 brothers and 2 sisters.  In 1977, he moved to the United States. Following in the footsteps of his younger brother, Frank, Ricardo joined the United States Army in that same year.

While at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, he met Patty, the woman he would soon marry.

Patty and Ricardo lived overseas and throughout the United States until making a permanent home in Athens, GA. They were the proud parents of 3 daughters and 2 sons, and multiple dogs and cats throughout the years. After his service in the Army, Ricardo started his own business working with the export of large industrial printing machinery, equipment and supplies.

Ricardo loved spending time with his family. The beach was his favorite, however, going to the mountains (especially when his mother came for visits!) was a close second. Just being at home working in the yard made him happy. His biggest joy was his grandchildren and watching the birds in the mornings. He finally decided that You Tube was his best go-to for working on his lawnmower, the washer and the dryer. He was a firm believer in checking your car oil often, not letting the AC out of the house and not letting flies into the house!

Ricardo was diagnosed with lung cancer in January of 2021 and suffered a massive stroke in February of 2022. During the past year and a half, he never gave up his cancer treatments, nor his physical, occupational and speech therapies, and was making great strides in each of them. His therapy team from Pruitt Home Health were initially the ones to start him moving and re-learning how to do the everyday things that most of us take for granted. After Pruitt, he continued treatment with the aid of his amazing therapy teams at St Mary’s Rehab group. He was determined to turn every day of his life into a step towards strength and recovery.

Ricardo is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers (Frank and Tonin) and daughter (Adriana). He is survived by his wife Patty, sisters Wanda Kljuce (Ante) and Ariela Pereira (Hugo), brother Roberto Guerra (Carmen), daughters Franchesca Guerra and Victoria Guerra, sons Zankie Guerra and Jonathan Guerra, grandchildren Gabe, Christian, E.J., Julia and Frankie, and many loving nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to send special thanks to his wonderful, amazing Nurse Navigator, Donna Allen (University Cancer and Blood Center) for always being there for him.  A true angel!   Many thanks as well to his home health care team: his nurse Diane, physical therapist Chee, occupational therapist Derek and speech therapist Danielle. You guys were AWESOME, and we felt like you were family! Heartfelt thanks as well to the St. Mary’s Outpatient Rehab.  WONDERFUL therapists that we appreciate so much.  He really enjoyed the visits there. Thank you to St. Mary’s Hospice for helping us during this most difficult time.

A funeral mass will be held at The Catholic Center at the University of Georgia on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Lord and Stephens, East, Athens is in charge of arrangements.