Lawrence "Gus" Guzzino, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend completed his journey of 93 years on Jan. 4, 2010, peacefully at his home in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was born in 1916 to Mary (Balsamo) and Santo Guzzino of Sicily, Italy. One of eleven children, Lawrence was raised in Patterson, La. along the Atchafalaya River. He attended the University of Southwest Louisiana working on a degree in Agriculture while also being an avid boxing team competitor. His college life came to an abrupt halt when he enlisted in the Army at the beginning of WWII. Lawrence served his country in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant and paratrooper in the 13th Airborne Division throughout WWII. He trained many platoons of paratroopers for adverse missions, including the famous D Day drops. He was dispatched to France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, concluding his dedicated service with a Bronze Star honor. After his military service, Lawrence settled in Lake Charles and began his career with CITGO Oil Company, later retiring from Continental Oil Refinery, chemical division. He also had ventures in service stations and L&G Speedwash. Lawrence was an active member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church where he ushered for twenty years. He also served as a Knights of Columbus Council #4562 and with the Msgr. Cramers Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Lawrence was also an active member with the Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce "Red Coats." An avid volunteer, he served as a Boy Scout Troop Leader and as President of the Parent Teacher Association for M.J. Kaufman School. He was President of the Mended Hearts Association, Chapter 18, for two years. He served as an advisor for the Silver Wings Fraternity and as chairman of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Association. His political career included: Member of the Calcasieu Parish Democratic Executive Committee; Louisiana State Advisory Council, and Police Juror District 10 Ward 3. Lawrence served on the Calcasieu Parish Drainage Board, Ward 3. Through tireless collaboration with state officials, Lawrence organized the Louisiana State Levee and Drainage Association, also serving as its first President. Although he loved politics and public life, his real passion was his children and grandchildren. Lawrence captured hearts and shared countless stories with children at local schools. Whether it was Brer Rabbit, personal experiences down on the Atchafalaya, or WWII adventures, he kept his audience captivated with his animated storytelling style. Many fond memories will be remembered by his children and close friends of the abundant vegetation he produced that included tomato and corn eating contest and banana stalks so astonishing they were featured in the American Press. He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of sixty one years, Genevieve Opferkuch Guzzino and his six children, Kathleen Courville and husband Michael, League City, TX.; Robert Guzzino, Lake Charles; Sharon Guzzino, Houston, TX.; Lynnette Guzzino, Covington, KY; Phillip Guzzino and wife Karla, Lake Charles; MaryLaurie Wilkinson and husband Jay, Iowa, LA. He also leaves, twelve grandchildren: Christopher, Kathyrn, and Kara Courville; Nicholas, Michael and Mary Guzzino; Genevieve and Alexandra Kincaide; Brian Wilkinson and Julie Wilkinson Jennings; Jordan and John McFaull; one great grandchild, Cheyanne Jennings; two sisters Elizabeth Louviere of Baton Rouge, LA and Barbara Ganaway of Patterson, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, three sisters and one grandchild, Justin Wilkinson. Funeral services for Lawrence Guzzino will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 7, 2010 in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation Wednesday will be from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a scripture service and rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. Visitation Thursday will be from 8:00 AM until 12:30 PM in the funeral home.