Michael Joseph Guma

Michael Joseph Guma passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, in Mandeville, Louisiana. Born on January 31, 1949, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Michael was a devoted husband, father and PawPaw with a lifelong passion for music and education. Michael graduated Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Art in Music from Loyola University New Orleans in 1970 and enjoyed a fulfilling career as a professional musician. He brought joy to many playing trombone and bass guitar in a variety of musical ensembles. Michael's musical talents could be witnessed on the stages of famous New Orleans venues (Crazy Shirley's, the Famous Door, and The Court of Two Sisters), at numerous carnival balls or on the parade route watching His Majesty's Bandwagon in the Krewe of Rex parade. He also performed internationally in Ecuador, Portugal and France, and entertained guests cruising the Caribbean aboard the Commodore Cruise line. Michael was the founding member of the Milneburg Joys, his Dixieland Jazz band, which went on to record an album. Education was a profound part of Michael's life, both as a student and music educator. Michael embodied the commitment to education that ran deep in his family: teaching guitar lessons alongside his parents at Werlein's, carrying on his father's legacy as band director at Isidore Newman school, as co-owner of Mobile Music Labs - bringing music education to outlying communities and as a band director for countless elementary, middle and high schoolers. His teaching career spanned nearly six decades and even extended to his children and grandchildren who he guided in math, music and even driving lessons. Beyond his professional endeavors, Michael proudly served his country in the Army National Guard, stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He cherished fishing trips with his family and friends and annual summer family beach vacations. His love of tennis was renewed in retirement and earned him the moniker, "the Godfather," amongst the Northshore tennis community. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, A.J. Guma and Dorothy Guma. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Ann Guma; his daughters, Lora Shea (Thomas), Michelle Theriot (Jay), Virginia Romero (Juan); grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, Charlotte, Amelia, Skyler, Mia; and siblings, Alan Guma (Susan) and Ginger Guma. Michael leaves a legacy of love, music and education. His songs will echo in our hearts forever. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at 10:00 AM followed by a Memorial Service at noon on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, LA. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate) or the Northshore Humane Society (https://www.northshorehumane.org/give). E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.