Michael S. Guzman, 65 years, Detroit MI

July 13, 1961 – October 31, 2026

In 1983 following college and armed with infinite wisdom, Mike embarked on a 12 year sailing journey that transported him around the world, port-to-port, seaside and on foot where he soaked in U.S. coastlines and embraced cultures and life throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Home was never far from his heart, and Mike was often generous with gifts for family and friends sent from exotic places.

In the twilight of the Cold War, Mike enlisted with the U.S. Navy and served twelve years before being honorably discharged in 1995. Throughout his service, he sailed the seas on multiple Naval vessels, including the U.S.S. Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and his last being the U.S.S. Josephus Daniels, earning a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Bronze Star for action in the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield, Libya, Panama and Somalia. He was selected and proud to serve alongside selectees from each branch of service in the United States Strategic Command.

As nieces and nephews began to arrive, Mike sidelined his world tour to spend time with family and returned to Saginaw where he assumed the role of “Uncle Mike and the Adventures of Babysitting” creating memories and stories that were simultaneously endearing – such as the summer he coached t-ball for his nephews team ‘The Little Gulps” but also borderline Dateline episodes.

Following tours in the Navy and babysitting, Mike began a career in healthcare which became his passion until his recent retirement from Corewell (formerly Beaumont) Health in Royal Oak, Michigan, a place where he found great purpose in helping others. Mike’s enthusiasm was known throughout the hospital and was dubbed by his Beaumont family, the “energetic healer”.

Mike was born on July 13, 1961 to Luis and Anselma Guzman in Saginaw, Michigan. Mike is survived by siblings: Arthur Guzman, David (Mary Joy) Guzman, Rosemary Hook, Susan (Eric) Apollo and Daniel (Robin) Guzman, nieces and nephews: Anselma (Tony) Bogdan, Maria Harris, Joseph Harris, Dr. Phil (Saarah) Anjum, Peter Wachowiak, Joshua Guzman and brothers-in-law, Jesse Gonzalez and David Wachowiak.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luis and Anselma, infant siblings, Stephen and Manuel, his brother Paul, his sister Sylvia, and a brother-in-law, Dr. Allan Hook.

The family is forever thankful to the U.S. Veterans Administration for the umbrella of care, outreach and support provided to Mike for many years.

In keeping with his wishes, Mike was laid to rest through cremation with burial at sea to take place at a later date surrounded by family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mike’s name to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) “Homeless to Housing” program (www.dvnf.org) OR to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, designate for housing programs (www.cdceportal.va.gov, portal includes section with box “in memory of”); physical checks can be taken directly to local VA Medical Centers, with designation for housing programs) OR to the Saginaw Rescue Mission, 1021 Burt Street, Saginaw MI 48607 (www.rescuemidmichigan.org).

“Fair winds and following seas. I am in the moon, the wind and the whale’s evening song, I am the sailor of eternity whose voyage is not gone.” – Shannon L. Alder