Donald Albert Guerrieri, born January 11, 1955, in Thunder Bay, ON, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 11, 2025, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Don is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years, Lois Guerrieri, and his two daughters Jennifer and Jacqueline Guerrieri (Lucas). Don is survived by his siblings, Patricia Miller, Flora Watson (Keith), Anthony Guerrieri and Ronald Guerrieri (Donna), as well as several nieces and nephews and his brother-in-law Gordon Galvin (Michelle). Don was predeceased by his father Anthony Guerrieri, his mother Flora Guerrieri, and brother-in-law Bruce Miller.
Don will be dearly missed by his family and friends and his two dogs Fiona and Sadie. Don was a heavy equipment operator, who learned at a young age from his father and spent many years working long hours as a member of the Local 793 International Union of Operating Engineers and gaining the nickname “Don Hoe” from his colleagues, acclaimed for his operating skills by many in the industry. In December 1978, Don obtained his private Pilots Licence, with a passion for flying, it was always clear that was his dream job. Don was a very proud and hardworking man, always focused on making the best life for his family and enjoying their beautiful piece of property, where he built their family home along side his wife Lois in 1982. Don loved the outdoors, no matter the season, he woke up everyday with the mission to get outside and stay busy. Don and Lois’s property was originally the site of the Guerrieri family business, “Guerrieri Bros. Bulldozing & Excavating”, and held a special place in Don’s heart, where he took solace in enjoying and maintaining the property. Don and Lois were a team to be envied as husband and wife, meeting at the young age of 16, and spending a lifetime tackling any project that came their way, battling through difficult times together and truly inseparable. Don also instilled his work ethic and strength in both of his daughters, teaching them and giving them the confidence to do anything in life, a blessing they will both be forever grateful for. Don also took great pride in his Italian heritage, speaking fondly of his father, who passed before his daughters were born, and maintaining longstanding family traditions of Christmas Eve dinners of buccala and anchovy spaghetti, and making pasta sauce on a regular basis, so the freezer was always stocked. We will cherish many fond memories of Don, and we will carry on his traditions and forever miss the silence of his “motivational” life lessons, always ensuring the job got done and doing his best to offer the lifetime of diverse knowledge he held.
In respecting Don’s wishes, there will not be a formal service. A small gathering of friends and family will occur at a later date, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Liver Canada.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
