Kenneth Jerry McGuire

Kenneth Jerry McGuire (Ken or Kenny) passed away Thursday afternoon, November 14, 2019 at his home in Lake Elsinore, California in the loving arms of his wife of 50 years Lily McGuire.  Ken was 73, just 16 days shy of his 74th birthday when he passed after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a loyal friend, son, brother, husband, father and grandfather – loved by so many, he was EVERYONE’s “Dad” and “Grandpa”.

Ken was born November 30, 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona to parents Leslie C. McGuire and Alice O. Holmes (McGuire, Swanson). Ken was brother to Phillip McGuire, Michael McGuire, Sandra McGuire Partridge and Sherry McGuire Coen. Ken had many close cousins who were like brothers and sisters as well. Ken considered many close friends his family.

Ken grew up in Southern California going to school in Azusa and Fullerton, graduated in 1963 and continued his education at Fullerton College. He served in the United States Army as a Sergeant from July 1966- July 1968.

Ken met Lily while working for Leonard’s Department Store in Huntington Beach, CA. He fell in love with Lily and her adorable son Anthony. Ken became a husband and father 6 months later when Ken and Lily married on July 26, 1969. Ken loved Anthony as his own son. They had two beautiful daughters together, Kenilynn and Mandy. Ken was a hardworking man and provider. He worked two full time jobs to buy their first home together in Fullerton, CA. Ken joined the Elevator Union and worked as an Elevator Mechanic for 25 years then another 10 years working for the County of Orange servicing elevators. After retirement, Ken and Lily built a new home in Lake Elsinore where they lived together for 6 years. Ken and Lily shared 50 years of love, honesty and raw passion. They were there for each other through the great, the good and the bad. Accepting one another despite their flaws and differences. Their love was so strong he wouldn’t leave this world without knowing she would be alright and used his last moments showing her his devotion.

Ken was like a kid in a grown man’s body. He loved to laugh and be silly. He got excited over toys and sweets. He loved to surprise and spoil his family but could not keep a secret because he just couldn’t wait to tell you. When you met him, you knew his whole life story in a matter of minutes. He sure had the gift of gab and was usually the life of the party. Ken was the master of all sports and motorsports. There was no sport he couldn’t conquer or coach and no machine he couldn’t drive or ride. He especially loved Basketball, Golf and riding Dirt Bikes in the desert or boating at the river. If you told him he couldn’t, he would set out to prove you wrong. His temper was short and fierce, but he always had an innate patience and clarity to explain and teach others. He was a natural coach and leader. Many called him their “favorite coach.” You’d find him helping others whenever he could. Often stopping his day to fix someone’s car or show them how something worked. A mechanic through and through, he just understood how things worked and what needed to be done. To be loved by Ken was to know that he would move heaven and earth for you, protect you, rescue you and break the rules for you if needed.

We believe Ken is finally out of pain and reborn in his eternal body with our Lord Jesus in Heaven and for that we give thanks and praise to God who ended his suffering and gave him peace again. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Alice, his parents-in-law Justy and Angela Ferraro, his sister-in-law Jean Ferraro, his brothers-in-law Sam Ferraro and Loren Coen, his brother Michael McGuire, his grandson Elijah Ward.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years Lily, 3 Children Anthony McGuire, Kenilynn Bongiovanni and Mandy Smithley, 3 Children-In-Law Regina McGuire, David Smithley and Tom Bongiovanni, 10 Grandchildren Ashley and Chris Simmons, Laura and Byron Williams, Tommy Bongiovanni, Victoria Bongiovanni, Anthony McGuire, Maximillian McGuire, Xander Smithley and Xoey Smithley, his brother Phillip and wife Kay, Sisters Sandra and Sherry, Brother-In-Law Justy Ferraro, Sisters-In-Law Rosary Tarantine and Sherry Ferraro and their families.

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