Joseph John McGuinness

Joseph John McGuinness was born on December 26, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the eighth of nine children born to Peter and Nora McGuinness. Joe grew up happily in Brooklyn among his six sisters and two older brothers. After graduating from high school, he found a job with National Airlines, and then Pan American World Airways, where he worked as an executive for a combined 40 years. He also met the love of his life, Ann Carew, and they married on October 16, 1954. During the course of their 55 year marriage, Joe and Ann raised five children, a girl, Maureen, and four boys, Joseph, Thomas, Michael and James. They began their family in New York, and then followed the Dodgers to Los Angeles. Joe was a dedicated father and loving husband.

Joe’s career was marked by many successes. As Regional Marketing Director for National Airlines, Joe was instrumental in the success of the cruise industry by convincing west coast passengers to travel to National’s headquarters in Miami and board cruise ships. Joe was a beloved leader at Saint John Fisher Catholic Parish in Rancho Palos Verdes. He and Ann were members of the RCIA team for more than a decade, bringing many to the faith. He also was active in bible study groups and brought communion to parishioners who were homebound or in the hospital. Joe prepared meals and collected clothes for the poor, and brought orphans from Tijuana to Palos Verdes to spend weekends with his family.

Joe volunteered with the Big Brothers of America Organization. After several years serving as a big brother, the young man he was mentoring wrote: “Some boys my age got into the wrong crowds and are now in gangs. Under your guidance, I am a studious, young athlete with a B+ average. It would take a twenty page letter to say all the things I should thank you for.”

Joe was very involved with his children, who loved him dearly, coaching their baseball teams and serving as President of the Sunrise Little League in Woodland Hills. His grandchildren adored him and he doted on them with great pleasure. Joe also enjoyed writing stories and poetry in his spare time.

After Ann passed away in 2010, Joe met and married Jeannine Koessel at the age of 87. They lived happily in the South Bay until Joe’s death on January 17, 2023. Joe is survived by Jeannine, his children: Maureen Page, Joseph McGuinness, Thomas McGuinness, Michael McGuinness and James McGuinness., as well as 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. . He has one surviving sister, Joan Markman, of Robbinsville, New Jersey. Joe is beloved by his family and friends who are comforted that he is in the arms of his loving Savior.