Oswaldo Gutierrez Sr., age 90, of Dorr died earlier this month.
Oswaldo, fondly known as Ozzie, was born on May 16, 1933, to Teodoso and Elvira Gutierrez in Los Nogales Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Ozzie came to the United States as a migrant worker in 1951, seeking a better life for his family. He had many jobs and ambitions in his life, finally starting his own construction company in the early 1980s. G&M Construction had more than 30 dedicated employees.
Ozzie lived a very full and rewarding life, providing endless support for his community; even reaching out to individuals and organizations he had read about and offering them assistance in their time of need. Most notably he raised money for the Byron Center veterans and participated in missionary work in Guatemala with Friendship Christian Reformed Church, of which he was an active member.
More than anything, Ozzie loved his grandchildren. That love was evident when they all traveled home as quickly as possible to see their beloved grandpa one last time before his passing.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Josie; children, Oswaldo Gutierrez Jr., David (Christie) Gutierrez, Gloria (Lew) Carlson, Linda Tjalsma; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jose Santos; all of his brothers and sisters; in-laws, Santos and Natividad Alvarez; son-in-law, Richard Tjalsma.
Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and on Friday at 10 a.m. at the church before services. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 1253 52nd Street SE, Kentwood, with Rev. Steven Cron officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Gentiva Hospice.
