Charlotte - Mr. Guin went to meet the Lord in the “Great Antenna Farm in the Sky,” as amateur radio operators and Al would say, on March 11, 2015. He was born on February 14, 1928 in Charlotte, NC and was the first born son of Allen L. Guin Sr. and Mary Louise Christopher. He was the loving husband of 66 years to his wife, Linda C. Guin, who preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, James Edward and Robert C. Guin; his son, Allen L. Guin, III; and his granddaughter, Carrie Anne Holland.
He was the beloved father and father-in-law of Alinda Guin Holland Pierce and husband H. Ray, Cynthia Guin Furnari and husband Vincent P., Allen L Guin III (deceased), Fred Christopher Guin and wife Patricia P., and Cherri Guin Propst and husband Jerry C. His legacy also included eight grandchildren and their families, Haydn Stewart Hasty, Jr., Carrie Anne Holland (deceased), Hayley H. LeSuer, husband Daniel, Andy Stephen Holland, Jeffrey Coulter Holland, Christopher Allen Guin, Michael Coulter Guin, and Christian Paul Furnari, and three great-grandchildren, Daniel Briggs LeSuer, Harper Abigail LeSuer and Stratton Coulter Holland.
A Charlotte native, Al graduated from Central High School (1946). He was an extremely industrious man, who started work at age 11 as a paper boy for The Charlotte News. His paper boy job grew into a career as the youngest City Circulation Manager at the newspaper. Alongside that career, he launched into an entrepreneurial endeavor in 1956 and formed a family business, Two Way Radio of Carolina, Inc., still in business today. As a nationally known pioneer in the telecommunications business, he brought paging and mobile phone service to the Carolinas in the late 60’s through the early 80’s, then cellular and Nextel services in the 90’s. He navigated and developed what we now know as cheap long distance services through his business, Phone America. Interestingly, he was remarkably instrumental in the success of the wireless communication services that many of us use today.
His love of radio communications started though in 1953, when he became an amateur radio operator…W4ZQB. He, along with several other “ham” buddies founded the Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society. In 1992, he started “The Over the Hill Net” where all of his lifelong “ham” buddies get “on the air” for a “rag chew” at 9:00 pm nightly. Many friendships and close bonds were formed, which enriched his life both on and off the air. His friends from all walks, and all areas of life, were truly a part of his success in life.
Al Guin was a man with a HEART. His life actions showed him to be loyal, trustworthy, committed, honorable, diligent, prosperous, innovative, intelligent, influential, humorous and caring. He was a faithful and loving husband, a devoted and sacrificial father, a committed and caring grandfather and a tried and true friend to many. As a friend Ruth said, he expressed his love through giving and giving and giving. The Bible says, “Good will comes to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.” (Ps 112:5-6) The entire Psalm 112 describes Al Guin. He truly left a legacy of love and inspiration to his children, grandchildren and friends. We are thankful to the Lord for his life…he truly will be remembered in our hearts forever.
The entire family would like to express their deepest gratitude to his caregivers, Cynthia, Carmencita, Judy, Kelly, Tangela, Dorothy and Darlene, for their loving, devoted and exceptional care. They were his true angels. Past caregivers, Lauran, Wanda, Hattie, Maggie, Debbie and Andrea are also appreciated by the family. Tremendous thanks goes to Pat Lookabill of Home Care Referrals of Charlotte for her service of 15 years to the Guin Family.
Visitation for Mr. Guin will be held from 6-8 pm on Saturday, March 14, at Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. The funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, March 15, at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Guin Family Estate at Sharon Memorial Park. A reception for family and friends will then be held at the home of Alinda and Ray Pierce.
Memorial donations may be made to Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, 1117 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203; Charlotte Rescue Mission, PO Box 33000, Charlotte, NC 28233; JAARS, 7405 Jaars Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173; or Novant Health Hospice and Palliative Care, 200 Hawthorne Ln., Charlotte, NC28204.
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