Brian Guzman, 66

Brian Guzman, 66, passed away May 12, 2026, at home under the care of Compassus Hospice, surrounded by his loving family and friends, after a long battle with cancer.

Brian was born Oct. 30, 1959, in Stevens Point, to Norbert and Loretta (Firkus) Guzman. He attended St. Stanislaus Grade School and graduated from Pacelli High School in 1978.

On July 13, 1985, Brian married his high school sweetheart, Mary Kobishop, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Their wedding reception was the last wedding reception ever held at Pacelli High School. Together, Brian and Mary built a life filled with love, travel, family, faith and memories.

As a teenager, Brian worked afternoons and evenings at the Greyhound bus depot on the west side. He took pride in the responsibility he was given at a young age, moving and parking buses in all kinds of weather. His work ethic, confidence and dependability remained with him throughout his life.

Brian began working at the Wisconsin River Division of Consolidated Papers on April 19, 1979, as a general laborer. Over the years, he continued his career through several mill ownership changes and worked his way up the ladder. He attended Mid-State Technical College, where he earned a degree in supervisory management. Brian retired from ND Paper’s Biron mill on Oct. 1, 2019, as the woodyard/wood room superintendent after 41 years of service. Before and after mill shifts, Brian also helped his father wire houses for the family business, Norb’s Electric.

During his freshman year of high school, Brian met two lifelong friends, Dave Barr and Tim Kaczmarek. Together, they became known as the “Triple Trio,” a friendship that lasted throughout their lives.

Brian was active from a young age. He was a Boy Scout and played football and basketball in grade school. He later enjoyed coaching his nephews in youth sports. He loved hosting family gatherings and bringing people together.

Brian was a devoted uncle to his nieces and nephews. Whether coaching, cheering them on, telling stories or simply spending time together, Brian made each of them feel important and loved.

A sports fan, Brian cheered for the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Milwaukee Bucks. He was also a longtime season ticket holder for UW-Stevens Point Pointers basketball and traveled to Salem, Virginia, to watch the team win its last national championship.

Brian loved traveling with Mary and especially enjoyed salmon fishing in Alaska and annual Canadian fly-in fishing trips, where friends nicknamed him “El Chapo.” He also cherished time at the UB cabin in Pittsville, which he helped build.

Brian’s favorite pastimes included golf league, hunting, fishing, making wine and spending time with family and friends.

Brian was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1170 and Moose Lodge 1572. He volunteered each year with Special Olympics, helped run track events, chaired the St. Joseph silent auction for many years and later served as an election poll worker.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Norbert Guzman, on July 18, 2020, and his father-in-law, Ronald Kobishop, on June 11, 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Guzman; his mother, Loretta Guzman; his brother, Kevin Guzman; his mother-in-law, Agnes Kobishop; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Timothy and Nancy Kaczmarek, and Jeff and Lisa Dahlseng; his nieces and nephews, Michael (Amanda) Kaczmarek, Andrew (Samantha) Kaczmarek, Zachary (Lauren) Dahlseng, Abbey Dahlseng and Megan (Sam Feanz) Dahlseng; and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Trenton, Grace, Jonah, Harper and Rowan Kaczmarek. Brian is also survived by Micaela Haupert and Callyn Stewert, whom he loved as daughters and considered family.

Brian will be remembered for his work ethic, generosity, love of family, loyalty to friends and the joy he found in simple moments shared with the people he loved.

The family thanked the staff at Compassus Hospice, especially Kortney, Melissa, Rosanne and Brandy, along with Chaplain Mark, for their care and support. They also thanked Father Hennes and the St. Joseph Catholic Church family for their prayers, kindness and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be established in Brian’s name at a later date. To honor Brian’s memory, the family invited people to “put a little extra pepper on your dinner tonight,” noting Brian was a proud pepper lover.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1709 Wyatt Ave., Stevens Point. Rev. Jeffrey Hennes will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Guardian Angel Cemetery. Pisarski Funeral Homes is serving the Guzman family.