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Obituary: Cosmo Frank Guido

Obituary

Cosmo Frank Guido passed away peacefully on April 1st, 2020, of natural causes.

Cosmo Frank Guido
(10/08/1922 – 04/01/2020)

He was the second generation to lead Guido Construction, founded by his father in 1927, and is the epitome of a man of great dignity, immense integrity, and supreme humility. In short, Cosmo F. Guido is a San Antonio treasure who graced its presence for 97 years and helped build the foundation (literally) for the nation’s 7th largest city. He has gone to rest, reunited with his wife of 65 years, Antoinette (Toni) Varisco Guido, who left too soon on November 11, 2011.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Cosmo graduated from Jefferson High School (1940) and Texas A&M University (1944) in Civil Engineering as a member of the Corp of Cadets. While in College Station, he met his future wife, Toni, married her in 1946, and returned to San Antonio to work as a partner, with his father and uncle, at Guido Brothers Construction Company and then Guido Lumber Company. Ultimately, he took the helm of the Guido Companies, building many notable structures throughout San Antonio: HemisFair ’68; the restoration of San Fernando Cathedral, the Alamo and the Missions; the conversion of the Lone Star Brewery to the San Antonio Museum of Art, several projects at the Witte Museum, the Sisters of Charity of Incarnate Word (Village & University), San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Papal Mass Site, and moving and restoring the Fairmont Hotel.

Cosmo served as Director and President of the San Antonio Associated General Contractors (1959 -1963); Director and President of the San Antonio Builder’s Exchange (1961-1967); Oak Hills Country Club Board and President (1978-1981) and the National Lumber Dealers Association Director & National President (1972-1977). A humble man, he could not believe that the son of an Italian immigrant could rise to serve in such prominent positions.

Cosmo led a life of service marked by faith and family. He was an active member of San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church (built by his father in 1927), the Christopher Columbus Society, and Blessed Sacrament and St. Luke Catholic Churches. He was a founding member of the Archdiocese Building Board (served for 50 years) and served on the Board and President (1958) of the San Antonio Texas A&M Club. Among his many recognitions are the San Antonio TAMU Polly Krueger Award and, most recently, the Robert H. Hugman Award from the San Antonio Tourism Industry, and the San Antonio Independent School District Inspire Award.

Beyond all, Cosmo was devoted to his family and friends. He is survived by his beloved children: Brazos Varisco Guido, Tom Guido & wife Maryanne, Florence M. Guido, and Antoinette Guido Browning, 13 grandchildren and their spouses, ten great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a wealth of dear and devoted friends.

MEMORIAL ROSARY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021
1:30 P.M.
MEMORIAL MASS
2:00 P.M.
SAN FRANCESCO di PAOLA CATHOLIC CHURCH
205 PIAZZA ITALIA, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78207

Msgr. Douglas Fater, officiating. Cosmo and Toni will be buried the following day on Thursday, October 14, 2021, 9:30 a.m. at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with Military Honors. The family requests that donations be made to the following: AGC Education and Research Foundation-Cosmo Frank Guido Scholarship Fund , 2300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201; The Village at Incanate Word, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209, or the San Antonio Independent School District Foundation , 141 Lavaca St, San Antonio, TX 78210.

Source: Porter Loring Mortuary