LYNNFIELD — A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up by members of the Lynnfield Police Association to help the family of late Lynnfield custodian Marien Guzman.
Guzman, 50, a resident of Lynn, died unexpectedly on Feb. 15 when he suffered a heart attack while driving on Euclid Avenue and crashed into a telephone pole and tree, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Guzman had worked for the Town of Lynnfield for more than 10 years, serving many departments in a variety of positions.
During his time in Lynnfield, Guzman made many friends in the community with the positive attitude that he brought to work day in and day out, said Alex Doto, the Lynnfield school-resource officer and one of the GoFundMe fundraiser organizers, along with Police Capt. Christopher DeCarlo, both of whom said the fundraiser was a team effort.
“As a loving husband and father, he worked to live and made it a point to enjoy life with his family, always making family his priority,” Doto said. “This was all about the entire community coming together.
“The whole thing is a departmental effort for a great person,” DeCarlo said.
Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin said he’s known Guzman for about 11 years, describing him as a “Renaissance” man.
“He could talk about anything, from world events to baseball, a real people person,” Curtin said. “He was a special person, a hard worker who always took the time to get to know you. He just loved taking care of people.”
A native of the Dominican Republic, Guzman spent his first 21 years in his hometown of Santo Domingo. He emigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Lynn with his wife, Tania, where they lived for the last 17 years, raising daughters Tharien and Tanairi.
Guzman’s obituary said that he “lived and breathed unending devotion to his family,” that his “flames of love for his wife were as fervent as when they started their journey together” and that his daughters were his “pride and joy.”
“Many have struggled to achieve the American dream; Marien not only achieved it in record time, he exceeded it,” the obituary said.
Guzman was also a devoted son to his mother, Iris Perdomo, greatly caring about her health and happiness. He is also survived by his father, Marien Guzman Sr.
Richard Dalton, chair of the Select Board, said that the emotional reactions of the town’s employees to the tragic news of Guzman’s passing spoke volumes about the man and the love and respect that his colleagues had for him.
“Marien was a beloved and valuable member of our team and we were truly blessed to have had the opportunity to know this very special person,” said Dalton. “On behalf of the Town of Lynnfield, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife and two daughters.”
Lynnfield School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg said he first met Guzman when he served as president of the Huckleberry Hill School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and described Guzman as the “nicest, kindest” and most helpful man.
“He was so well-liked and respected that when we had events we would always try to clean it up so he didn’t have to do the work,” Sjoberg said.
Since the GoFundMe page was launched last Friday, more than $17,000 had been pledged toward the $20,000 goal, prompting DeCarlo to say Monday, “this has done better than we imagined so anything more we get is great and I know the family will be happy and thankful for the help.”
Dalton said he was proud of the Lynnfield Police Association for establishing the GoFundMe page and the many people who worked alongside Guzman who have donated to the cause. In the first three days, the campaign had raised close to $17,000 toward the $20,000 goal.
“Marien was a beloved and valuable member of our team and we were truly blessed to have had the opportunity to know this very special person,” Dalton said. “I know from firsthand experience the generosity of our community and how we all come together when a family is in need — whether it be emotional or financial support.
“I urge my fellow residents to help Marien’s family during this most difficult time.”
To make a donation to help the Guzman family, search “In Memory of Marien Guzman” at www.GoFundMe.com.
