James R. Guglielmino

James Russell Guglielmino of Kansas City, Kan., and Pagosa Springs, Colo., a beloved veterinarian with a myriad of interests, died April 10, at KU Med Center, four days after surgery. He was 80. Dr. Guglielmino founded the Dearborn Animal Clinic in Mission, Kan., in 1971, and was senior veterinarian there. "He took the best care of our furry family," said Krystal Schwabauer, a client at the clinic. "He had a beautiful passionate heart, stood up for justice, and cared with every ounce of his being." Randi Silver, president of Randi's Rockin' Dachshund Rescue, described Dr. Guglielmino as a mentor. "He was available at any time for anything. Being a veterinarian was who he was, not just what he did." Dr. Guglielmino was born in Ithaca, N.Y., and grew up in Winsted, Conn., where his father was the county veterinarian. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut and received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University. Dr. Guglielmino and his wife, Dr. Janice McIntyre, a member of the Board of Trustees at Kansas City Kansas Community College and a retired English professor there, were avid outdoor enthusiasts who took numerous hikes across the Colorado Rockies. They were married at the Loveland, Colo., Ski Area on Valentine's Day, 2007. The wind chill was 20 below zero, Ms. McIntyre recalled. But, she added, "You got to ski for free if you were married there. We thought that was a pretty good incentive." "He was a complex guy," said one of Dr. Guglielmino's four daughters, Maria Guglielmino-Iskenderoglu of Kayseri, Turkey. "He loved music, cars, airplanes, his work as a veterinarian, his dogs, (especially Jack), hiking, skiing, the running club and his home in Colorado." He was a well-informed and long- time Democrat who never hesitated to take a stand or to let others know what mattered to him. He wanted to live his values to the end by becoming an organ donor. In addition to Ms. Guglielmino-Iskenderoglu, he is also survived by three other daughters, Michele Toney of Westerville, Ohio; Emily Serrano of Topeka. Kansas; Angela Greer of Overland Park, Kansas; a step-daughter, Amy Thornton of Fort Worth, Texas; six sisters, Jeanne Davison of Torrington, Conn.; Nancy Merbaum of New Hartford, Conn.; Diana Grazia of Winsted, Conn.; Joanna Guglielmino of Vashon, Wash.; Maria Guglielmino of New Hartford, Conn.; Carole Guglielmino of Stratford, Conn.; two brothers, Peter Guglielmino of Winsted, Conn., and Frank Guglielmino of Colebrook, Conn.; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dr. G -- as he was known to many – was renowned for his booming laugh. "I'll carry that laugh in my heart forever," said stepdaughter Ms. Thornton. Starting on June 19th, several gatherings are being organized in Kansas City Kansas for friends and family and to support causes important to Dr. Guglielmino. Event details and memories are on the Facebook page: Dr. G's WalkAbout. Event contributions will support scholarships and animal rescue.