Mr. Maurice M. Guerin "Mike", went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at the age of 81.  He was born to Raoul Guerin and Lucienne Tardif Guerin in Montreal, Canada on April 20, 1942.  He was the seventh son of thirteen children (9 boys and 4 girls).

During the Vietnam era, many men avoided the draft by escaping to Canada.  Maurice (Mike) reacted differently to the war.  He did the opposite.  At 21 years of age, on July 31, 1963, even though he was not a U.S. citizen, he drove to North Carolina and joined the U.S. Marine Corp.  Because of his age, he was put in charge of the much younger Marines.  He went to boot camp in Parris Island, SC, then sent to Camp Lejune, NC on October 19,1963. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Combat Engineer.  Since he spoke French fluently, he was assigned duties in Morocco on February 18,1964 through February 8, 1965 as an interpreter.  He returned to Cherry Point Marine Corp base in North Carolina on February 11, 1965.  On July 31, 1965, he was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) and stationed at Chu Lai in Vietnam.  While in Vietnam, because of his combat status, he was a tunnel rat and performed a variety of military engineering, tunnel and mine warfare tasks, as well as construction and demolition duties in and out of combat zones.  He returned to Camp Lejeune on November 26, 1966 and remained there until his discharge on July 28, 1967, and he was an inactive Marine until July 29, 1969.  During his service time he received the Cross of Gallantry in lieu of the Bronze Medal, as at that time, he was not yet a U.S. citizen.

Upon returning home, he married and had three children, Maurice Guerin, Marcel Guerin and Crystal (Guerin) Allen. He married Cheryl (Chery) Guerin in 2007, and three step-children were added to their blended family, Barbara Bayer, James Moore and Amber Hulsey.  They have multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mike worked for Missouri Department of Corrections and retired as Major, Chief of Custody, supervising 300+ correction officers. His wife Chery got to know him better in 2003, as she worked in the personnel office that hired his officers.  He was tough but fair with his officers and commanded respect for his position.  He retired from Corrections on March 1, 2007, and he and Chery started their retirement by traveling the country.  In 2008, they returned to Albuquerque where Chery's family resided.  They decided to make their permanent home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area.

Mike will be missed by many but never forgotten. May you rest in peace, Maurice Michael Guerin "Mike"

A visitation will be held in the Chapel of Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th ST. NW. ABQ., NM. on Monday, January 22, 2024 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am with a funeral service at 11:30.   Burial will then take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30 pm with US Marine Corps Honors.