Obituary: Randy Guerriero

October 27, 1946 – April 6, 2025 
Randall Michael Guerriero, age 78, passed away peacefully at his home in The Villages, Florida on April 6, 2025.

Randy was born in Detroit, MI, on October 27, 1946, to Anthony and Evelyn (Kemp) Guerriero. His youth was spent in Livonia, MI with his older brother, Gary (Boulder, CO) and younger brother, Nicolas (deceased). He was rambunctious, curious and loved his life with many childhood friends. At Catholic Central High School he played football, where the team wore leather helmets (which he loved to brag about!) He was also an all-state wrestler, winning many middleweight matches. Randy graduated from Wayne State University (Detroit) in 1969 with a BA in business. He was a very active member of Delta Chi fraternity where he forged deep, life-long friendships; many frat brothers followed him to Colorado.

After college, Randy packed his car and headed west, aimed for ski slopes and outdoor life in Vail, Colorado. He never looked back. He was truly a jack-of-all-trades: waiter at The Clock Tower Inn (with fellow co-conspirator Dwain Schmit); ski instructor at Vail Ski School; ski merchandise salesman; repairman at Gorsuch; investor at Performance Sports; window washer and remodel contractor with frat brother Rayno Seaser; home inspector. But real estate investing in the valley was his forte where his business sense, perseverance, good mind, and willingness and ability to do hard work built a solid portfolio. Per Randy,he loved the tag of “slum lord.”

He was the quintessential Colorado outdoorsman, equally enjoying summer and winter pursuits: hiking, camping, fishing, golfing, jeeping in “Commando”, downhill and cross-country skiing, hut trips, and the thrill of snowmobiling the back country. If there was a challenge to accomplish, Randy was front and center, ready to go. Friends describe this man as: kind, outrageous, interested, interesting, smart, loyal, fun, funny, active, humble, devoted, honest, hearty, and loving.

Randy met Suzanne Wibby, the love of his life, at a Vail Casino Night event in 1979. They bonded quickly, enjoying many shared outdoor activities. They were married in 1982 in Lionshead. Friends often asked Randy how many years they were married… to which he would reply, “Oh, 40 or so years, off and on.” To this day Suzanne recalls the first time their eyes met and will carry her love solely onward, after 46 years together.

Randy and Suzanne retired to The Villages in central Florida. The Sunshine state was a perfect place to enjoy golf, pickleball, bowling, and (miniature) sail boating. Purchase of an Airstream travel trailer encouraged trips around Florida and beyond, where they joyfully pulled their silver bullet to new adventures. They loved that, “Home is Where You Park It.”

In his later years, Randy reconnected with his biological son, Tim O’Brien (Seattle). They relished the opportunity to develop their father-son relationship with time that included shared love of skiing, or biking and long conversations. They both found one another with grace and peace as part of the equation.

Randy is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Suzanne; son, Timothy O’Brien; brother Gary; several nieces and nephews; best friends: Dwain, Billy, Jon, Rayno, Ron, Greg, and Mike (deceased); and many family and friends who have shared their life’s walk with him.

Randy requested no funeral or memorial service. We only ask that you remember, and store in your memory playbooks, the many days, months, and years you had sharing life with Randy. He is rich in the hearts and spirit of everyone he touched, and he, in turn, cherished each and all of his treasured family and friends.
We believe Life is eternal and everlasting and trust in Randy’s presence being just that: eternal and everlasting.

“Love is big enough
To fill all empty spaces in the heart.
No void exists in Love, of which we all are part.

“Love is true enough
To meet each human need of every heart.
Its promise stands: In Love we meet and never part.”

By Sandra Luerssen Hoerner