Juan Raul Guel

Juan Raul Guel (Johnny) passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at the age of 70.  He was born in San Mateo, CA on July 21, 1953, to Luis and Alicia Guel and was the third born son of eight children. The family moved to Sunnyvale, California where he met the love of his life, Tina Guel, at a teen dance at Lakewood Park.  They married in 1969 and their love welcomed 3 children: Amelia, Juan Jr and Rosa Lydia. He graduated from Sunnyvale High School in class of ‘71.

Juan continued his education at DeAnza College in Cupertino while getting his start in the tech industry with Memorex.  He then went on to work for Sandisk and Aromat as a Production Manager.  He worked in the tech industry for 25 years.  He continued his education and earned his bachelor’s degree in management at St. Mary’s College in Moraga in 1995.

Once his first grandchild was born in 1999, he decided to pursue a complete career change toward a career in teaching, a true passion of his.  He first taught fourth grade at Luther Burbank Elementary School in east San Jose. He then joined the mission at MACSA to uplift and educate the Latino community as a history teacher at their charter high school: Academia Calmecac.  His passion and leadership guided him to the opportunity to become their principal.  As Principal, he guided youth, mentored teachers, and was a central figure in the non-profit as a community leader.  He celebrated the charter school’s first graduating class.  He then continued his service to the community managing Hope Services Senior Center of San Jose, providing employment opportunities and socialization to seniors and disabled individuals.

He retired in 2018 but continued his dedication to education as the scholarship chairperson for the Carmen C. Guel Education Fund that provides annual scholarships and recognizes graduates in the Guel Family as well as backpacks full of school supplies to all school-aged children at our annual family reunion.

Juan had an adventurous spirit that showed in his many interests.  Juan rode his Honda Goldwing motorcycle as his primary transportation for almost 20 years. He was an active outdoorsman enjoying backpacking, camping, fishing, running, hiking and walks in the park.  He was a fan of the San Francisco Giants, the Oakland Raiders, and most of all the San Jose Sharks! He was a great mechanic and an accomplished handyman.  He had a deep appreciation for all types of music and was a phenomenal drummer and percussionist for many years. He accompanied his brothers in the tex-mex band Nopal. He loved and enjoyed life to the fullest and was more than willing to share his interests with family and friends.

Juan was preceded in death by his mother Alicia, his brother Jesse, and brother-in-law Ruben.  He will be greatly missed by the love of his life, Tina, and children Amelia, Juan Jr., and Lydia, as well as his daughter-in-law Milly and son-in-law Noe, and his grandchildren Philip, Lily, Gabby, Annalise, and little Isabel.  He will also be missed by his Father Luis, his brother Joe, his sisters Rosie, Maria, Angel, Carmen, Ana, as well as their spouses: Gloria, Michelle, and Abel. And of course, his countless cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, God children and other family and the many people whose lives he brought joy and love to.

Memorial Services will be held at the Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. CA 94538 on Monday February 19, 2024 at 11 AM with Internment immediately following at Irvington Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, California.

A Go Fund Me has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses:   gofundme.com/…/in-loving-memory-of-juan-guel