Obituary of German Gutierrez
German Gutierrez, 88, of Venice, FL, passed away peacefully at home on July 19th, 2022. German was a beloved husband to Emma, his wife of 64 years, father to his three children, Juliet, Liliana and German Leonardo, Poppy to his grandchildren, and friend to all those who knew him.
German was born on January 1st, 1934, in Funza, Colombia, and raised in Bogota, Colombia, with his parents, Luis Jose and Elvia Rodriguez Gutierrez, and his sister Cecilia. German was introduced to his wife Emma in 1957, they fell in love quickly and wed several months later on January 18th, 1958. In February, 1964, German immigrated to Queens, NY, to pursue the American dream and build a better life for his family. He worked for Pan Am and Delta airlines for a combined 32 years, covering many responsibilities as an airline mechanic and maintenance quality control manager, including taxiing planes between hangars and terminals. German and Emma would move from Queens to Long Beach, NY, where they raised their children, before finally settling in Venice, Florida.
German will be most remembered for his charm, baritone laugh, infectious smile, and playful spirit. Whether it was family, friends, waitresses at Peaches (his favorite restaurant) or his healthcare professionals, German brought joy and laughter to everyone’s life he touched. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing cards and games, riding bicycles, telling stories, and cracking jokes. German loved America, embracing it’s traditions and ideals, and instilling these in his children. This embrace of American values motivated him to complete his high school education at the age of 76, and pursue higher education. German was also a devout Catholic and man of faith, attending mass regularly at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
German leaves his devoted wife Emma Gutierrez; his daughter Juliet Derby and her husband John; his daughter Dr. Liliana Gutierrez and her husband Dr. David Quintero; his son Lee Gutierrez; his grandchildren: Michael R. Toohey, Juliann-Kate Sheehan and her husband Patrick, Dr. Katie Quintero-Smith and her husband Martin, Emma Quintero, and Hudson Chandler Gutierrez; his sister Cecilia Gutierrez; and his nieces Claudia Forkin, Carolina Melo, and their families. He is predeceased by his parents, Luis Jose and Elvia Rodriguez Gutierrez, his son, Mauricio Gutierrez, and his nephew, Luis Melo.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 26th, 2022, from 3 – 5 PM at Farley Funeral Homes & Crematory, 265 S. Nokomis Ave, Venice, FL, 34285. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, July 27th, 2022, at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1301 Center Road, Venice, FL, 34292, with a graveside service to follow at Venice Memorial Gardens, 1950 Center Road, Venice, FL, 34292.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a GoFundMe in German’s honor to benefit the order of Las Hijas Del Corazon Misericordioso De Maria. All money collected will be donated in German’s name to support the religious missions of this convent.
In Poppy's famous goodbye phrase, “Happy New Year!”
