- Date Of Birth: October 27, 1928
- Date Of Death: December 20, 2020
- State: Indiana
REV. DONALD F. GUERTIN, C.S.C.
October 27, 1928 – December 20, 2020
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Rev. Donald Francis Guertin, C.S.C., 92, died Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. He was born on October 27, 1928, in Detroit, Mich., to Donald and Alice (Tank) Guertin. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in suburban Ecorse, Mich., in 1946 and studied for two years at Chaffey College in Alta Loma, Cali., before a four-year stint in flight training and as a U.S. Navy pilot. He came to the University of Notre Dame as a regular student in 1952, entered Old College a year later, then went to Sacred Heart Novitiate, Jordan, Minn., where he was received into the Congregation of Holy Cross on August 15, 1954. He made his First Profession of Vows on August 16, 1955 and his Final Profession on August 16, 1958. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1957, then studied Theology for four years at Holy Cross College, Washington, D.C. Fr. Guertin was ordained a Holy Cross priest in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame, Ind., on June 7, 1961.
Beyond Fr. Guertin’s accomplishments and commitment to his profession, he had many other facets to his life. He was passionate about maintaining his health and physical fitness. For many years, his daily regimen included a 1-2 mile run, along with a course of weight lifting and calisthenics. His weight never deviated, remaining unchanged from when he was a young man in the Navy. He specialized in cooking healthy nutritious meals, done especially well in the crockpot. Just two years ago, on his 90th birthday, he demonstrated his push-ups and pull-ups with great form and still integrated a daily exercise regimen at the Holy Cross House gym. He played tennis regularly well into his 80’s. Furthermore, he enjoyed skiing and participated in an annual ski trip with his buddies for many years. He relaxed by reading and cheering on Notre Dame sports teams.
He is revered for his dedication to family and friends. His annual trips, letter writing, and regular phone calls fostered these diverse relationships. He is therefore remembered fondly as a devoted uncle to Bruce Guertin, Brian Guertin, Sharon Guertin (Tony) Rettino, Ed (Lisa) Paule, Suzanne Paule, Lisa (Dominic Adorno) Guertin and Jeffrey Guertin. He is also survived by seven great-nieces and nephews; and several cousins. Preceding him in death are his parents, Donald and Alice Guertin; his brothers Lester Guertin and Richard Guertin; and his sister Norma Paule.
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