Joseph "Joe" Paul Guarino, of Ross Road, died Friday, November 22, 2024 at Gosnell Hospice Home in Scarborough, Maine, with his wife by his side.  Joe was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, and is already missed terribly.  Joe was born on March 23, 1947 in Hartford, CT — one of three children born to Daniel R. Guarino and Irene P. (King) Guarino. The family moved to Maine in 1959 and became owners of the Fern Park Cabins in Old Orchard Beach, with Joe working various summer jobs growing up.

Joe graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1965, and was drafted by the Army within the year and served in Vietnam in 1967.  After returning to Maine, Joe bought "the old milk truck" and drove across country to spend time with friends in California.  Joe returned to Maine after realizing his home state offered everything he wanted.  He accomplished a dream of spending time in Alaska, and loved any time in winter he could get under any palm tree looking at some water.

Joe was employed in a number of positions during his life - serving as the Dog Catcher in Old Orchard Beach, which was one of his favorite jobs, he would find homes for the strays and brought one or two home himself. He worked at the Biddeford Airport refurbishing planes and very much enjoyed hopping in a plane with a friend and going for a ride. Joe served as a School Bus Driver for the Towns of Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough.  He thought every parent should be a bus driver for a year. He very much enjoyed the kids and 'turning the radio up loud upon request'.

Joe also worked for The Pier as a Jack of all Trades, then a number of years later worked for the Palace Playland across the street.  Joe's favorite job was working on his little piece of property on the Ross Road, building his house, maintaining his road, working on his vehicles, and, when his fingers started itching, cutting down a couple of trees with his chain saw for winter wood.  If you came to visit Joe, you would find him working on one of his vehicles. He loved motorcycles, especially his BSA Victor Special.  He could be frequently found at the top of a ladder doing projects on the house, enjoying time rocking to Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Bob Marley, or some Taj Mahal, or simply sitting on the deck feeling grateful for his good luck.

Joe met his wife Debra D. 'Dusty' (Holland) Guarino in 1979 and they married in 1986.  During their 46 years together, they raised four children on the Ross Road : Jospeh King Guarino, Gina Marie (Guarino) Cotton, Thomas James Wiley IV, and Miranda Blythe Wiley.

Joe is predeceased by his Father and Mother, and his brother Daniel A. Guarino, and his nephews Danny, and Donny, and his niece Kim.

He is survived by his wife Dusty Guarino, his son Joe, daughter Gina and her husband Jon, his stepchildren Tom and Miranda, his sister Teresa (Guarino) Haney , his sisters and brothers in law, his cousin Carol, and numerous nephews, nieces, and other family members who loved  Joe very, very much, and his Granddaughter-By-Love Sigrid, who called him "Santa Joe".

Visiting hours will be held from 9:30AM-11:30AM Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, Saco. A Funeral Service will be at 11:30PM Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at Cote Funeral Home, Saco. Burial will follow at the Southern Maine Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Springvale.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to send a donation to one of the following:

Vietnam Veterans of America  at vva.org

Hospice of Southern Maine at hospiceofsouthernmaine.org

Animal Welfare Society
46 Holland Rd.  Kennebunk, ME  04043