Francis Guiney
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Francis D. Guiney, 92
Francis Daniel Guiney, 92, of Austin died on July 31, 2009 at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin.
Born Jan. 23, 1917 in Red Rock Township, he was the son of Edward and Sarah Ellen (Smith) Guiney. He attended Austin High School. Following graduation in 1935, he was employed at George A. Hormel Company and farmed with his father. He farmed his entire life on the family farm, which includes land homesteaded by his Irish grandparents in 1856.
During World War II he served in the United States Army for five years with Company A., 96th Quartermaster Bn. He was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines.
After the war he returned to farming with his father and attended Government Agriculture classes. He married Aurelia Laudet on Oct. 15, 1956, at St. Augustine Church in Austin.
In 1971 he became the Mower County Bookmobile driver and clerk until his retirement in 1991. As a Charter Member of Queen of Angels Church in Austin, he actively participated in the building effort and served as usher for many years. He served on the Brownsdale Creamery Board, and devoted over 40 years to the Calvary Cemetery Board. He was also Clerk for the Red Rock Township Board for sixteen years. Proud of his full Irish heritage, he visited the birthplace of his Grandmother Tobin in Doone, Ireland, Limerick County in 1988.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Aurelia Guiney; children, Mary Frances Guiney, St. Paul, Daniel Guiney, Thailand, Dorothea (Steven Chin) Guiney, Minneapolis, Ellen (Richard) Copley, St. Louis Park, Joseph (Margaret) Guiney, Minneapolis, Maureen (Scott) Freberg, St. Paul, Timothy (Rosemary) Guiney, Two Harbors and Patrick (Danna) Guiney, Austin; grandchildren, Emily, Molly and Annie Guiney; Elias, Thomas, Tess and Clarise Freberg; Tobin and Tristan Chin; Aidan and Rowan Guiney; and Lexi, Landon and Layton Guiney.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Edward. He was a devoted and loving father and very proud of his family.
Visitation will be held Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mayer Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Queen of Angels Church or Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL).
Pallbearers will be Daniel, Joseph, Timothy and Patrick Guiney, Steven Chin, Richard Copley and Scott Freberg.