Placido Guerrero Zapata

1952 - 2021

Placido Guerrero Zapata
October 5, 1952 - September 28, 2021
Palmetto, Florida - Placido Guerrero Zapata, age 68, of Palmetto, Florida passed away on September 28, 2021. Placido Guerrero Zapata grew up in Cerritos, S.L.P, Mexico, a town that he loved. In 1972 moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he owned and operated his own grocery store and movie theaters. Subsequently, moved to Palmetto, Florida in 1988 and became a successful business owner of La Mexicana Foods Grocery the first Mexican store in Manatee County, a half dozen grocery stores, Campo Mex located in Tampa, and an Import/Export products of Mexico company. Placido was very proud of his many accomplishments in life. Including organizing and hosting the first Cinco de Mayo celebration (1994) at Rossi Park in Bradenton, being awarded Best of the Bay Mexican Market in Tampa Bay, listed member of Red Book Credit Services as established where he maintained a reputation of high ethical practices, business competence, and financial stability. Placido was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. He was a Cursillista de Colores, enjoyed fishing, public speaking, music, singing, dancing, cooking, and most of all spending time with family. Sharing his knowledge and guidance was the foundation of his family. Placido will be dearly missed and always remembered. Respected, loved, and admired by everyone he met; Placido was very kind and generous, he had a passion for helping others as a mentor to many and was a father figure to some. He made everyone happier just by being in his presence. Placido was preceded in death by his parents Sr. Rufino Guerrero and Maria Zapata Guerrero; his brother Gabriel Guerrero Zapata; Sister Paula Guerrero (Rodriguez). He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years of marriage Lucia Gonzalez Guerrero; his siblings J. Marcos Guerrero (Margarita), Gonzalo Guerrero (Gelsy), Maria de Jesus Guerrero (Rodriguez), Maria Inez Guerrero, Virginia Guerrero; his children Dan Placido Long (Rio Wilson), Javier Long (Laura), Alma Guerrero (Andrew Hernandez), Anna Guerrero-Serna (Armando), Nahum Guerrero (Anna Aguilar), Lucerito Diekmann; Grand Children Saphirre and Tatianna Long, Damien and Olivia Hernandez, Armando Jr., Santiago, and Becky Serna, Nahum Jr., Dominic and Bianca Guerrero, Vincent, Ariana and Arabella Diekmann; Great Grand Children William Acosta, Armando Serna III, and Rose Serna. Loved and will be missed by a multitude of uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews. A Visitation for Placido will be held Friday, October 22nd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Groover Funeral Home in Ellenton. The Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 23rd at 1:00 PM at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Palmetto, to be immediately followed by the Graveside Service at Skyway Memorial Park in Palmetto.