Eduardo "Eddie" Gutierrez

In this life, a handful of people will leave a lasting impact on those around them. Eduardo” Eddie” Gutierrez was that man, no one who left his presence left without a laugh or the feeling of genuine care and love. He was born to Jacinto and Concepcion Gutierrez on April 12th, 1964, in Milwaukee, WI. He died in the arms of his wife, Christine Gutierrez, and his daughters, Gemma and Gabby Gutierrez, on June 20th, 2023. He adored life, his family, and the Milwaukee community and exerted all his effort and care into those aspects of life. This man’s passion is apparent to anyone who knows him. He was preceded in death by his father Jacinto Gutierrez, his brother Antonio Gutierrez, and his niece Veronica. He is survived by his wife Christine Gutierrez; his daughters Gemma and Gabby Gutierrez; his mother Concepcion Gutierrez; his siblings Josie Gutierrez, Silvia (Dan) Gutierrez-Hoem and Rudy (Raquel) Gutierrez; his nieces and nephews, Sarah Murillo, Vanessa Murillo, Adriana Murillo, Luis Gutierrez, Diego Gutierrez, and Jacob Hoem. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends. The Gutierrez’s, always loyal to Milwaukee, eventually found their place on 3rd Street. A home always open to anyone who needed it, where you’d find the rest of the family, Josefina, Antonio, Silvia, and Rodolfo Gutierrez, along with the occasional cousin or two. A community of Latinos who fostered an environment of responsibility to one another, faith, and love. Here is where they prayed, and his devotion to God and the church grew. Our Lady of Guadalupe and the litany of excellent priests and youth pastors guided him in his creed. His family pushed him into community work roles through the church at the Christian Youth Organization and The Legion of Mary. Begrudgingly, along with his siblings, they set up church festivals and functions and spent time entertaining the elderly with carols and costumes. Additionally, he worked and hung out at “The Spot”, which would eventually become UCC, an organization supporting the community of Hispanics on the South Side. Even though that kept him busy, he spent his time in many other ways. During the summer, they played basketball, dodgeball, and lawn darts at The Vieau School, anything they deemed a little dangerous. His father taught him how to swim, like all the Gutierrez's learned, by being thrown into the water at the Natatorium. Curiosity and interest in mechanics fostered in his bike, which he tore apart and rebuilt dozens of times. He’d also tell you he was a professional dancer for Las Estrellas, performing at the Folk Fair and festivals. Either way, he was out till the sun came down, home for only lunch and dinner. He spent years wrestling and playing football at Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School, even if he told you his role was a benchwarmer. Before his eighteenth birthday, he enlisted in the Marines and left for basic training right after graduating. Eddie began his time in the Marine Corps in Cherry Point, NC. After completing basic training, he was assigned to the AirWing in the VMAQ2 “Playboy” squadron. A name he would not let anyone forget, with all of his three girlfriends. Later stationed in Whidbey Island, Washington, Eddie said this was one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen. He was briefly back in North Carolina before beginning his assignment. Eddie completed a Mediterranean Tour on the USS Saratoga as an Air Craft Mechanic, this time bringing on so many stories he would repeat to anyone who would listen. He finished off his service at Camp Lejeune before heading back to Milwaukee. A hard worker, he spent time at a slew of jobs at Butters-Fetting, the airport’s private plane hanger, and occasionally as a Security Guard at Hmong community events and José Feliciano concerts. Eddie found his drive and passion back where it began at Our Lady of Guadalupe as a Youth Minister, this time with a steadfast stubborn head making the choice on his own. He began studying Religious Ministry at Cardinal Stritch. He went on a mission to St. Lucia in the Caribbean through their programs to build educational infrastructure. During this time, a homeless shelter, the Hope House, opened its doors on the corner of 2nd and Orchard, neighboring their family home. After receiving a grant, the Hope House looked to expand. Coming directly to Jacinto and Concepcion, they asked about their thoughts. Unsurprisingly, Jacinto responded that although few would want this service in their neighborhood, it was necessary. And their home, a place of hearth and community, would be theirs to serve the area in a new way. Eddie came to work for the expanded Hope House. This location would be where he met his wife, on the third floor, noting that his mother would not appreciate all the women he would meet in his old bedroom. Nonetheless, their joined passion for service and their helping professions grew into a 22-year loving marriage. Eddie left Hope House to United Community Center as an After School Program Coordinator, then a Treatment School, before returning to his education at UWM studying Social Work. During this time, his first daughter Gemma Carolina was born, and she attended his graduation. He was marking the first college graduation of the Gutierrez family as he began his own. He continued in social work for the remainder of his career, most proud of his time as Assistant Principle at Loyola Academy and Centro Hispano (formerly known as The Council for the Spanish Speaking). While Eddie was at Loyola Academy, his second daughter Gabriela Veronica was born. He brought them up with the same community work, bringing his daughters to Food Drives and school events to volunteer. Eddie took his time understanding parenting, reading insouciantly about any issue he ever faced. It was no doubt another passion of his, exerting the same if not more effort to be a father figure he was proud of. He took time to mellow his stubbornness and to listen to his daughters. Eddie taught them how to be loved, take pride in themselves, and cultivate a passion for their dreams. He leaves behind a community larger than life that loved and adored him. A memory unphased by time and illness, one of dedication and drive. Humor that kept those around him breaking into heavy laughter even now. To be loved by Eddie was to be loved unconditionally for eternity. His dedication to his faith undoubtedly brings him to rejoice with those we have lost before. Eddie looks down on us with his father, Jacinto, brother Antonio, and niece, Veronica. May we make them proud. Memorial Visitation Wednesday, June 28 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at ST. ROMAN CHURCH followed by the celebration of Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon. Rozga Funeral & Cremation Services Rozga-Walloch Chapel 414-281-7145

Eduardo "Eddie" Gutierrez

June 20, 2023