Joseph James Guzzetta Jr.

Mr. Joseph James Guzzetta Jr., 58, of Tyler, TX and formerly of Utica, passed away, from an unexpected heart attack, on January 18, 2026. Joe's life was defined by a deep devotion to his faith, his family and his craft.

Joe was born in Utica, NY, on January 17, 1968, the son of Joseph James, Sr. and Mary Ann (Carzo) Guzzetta. He was a 1986 graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1990. However, Joe's true passion was the culinary arts. He later followed that calling to Paul Smith's College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2001, earning multiple awards for excellence.

Joe's culinary path led him through New York, Virginia and Boston. While working as a chef at the Meridian, in Boston, Joe met the love of his life, Carolina and on January 21, 2005, they were married in Cambridge, MA. Joe and Carolina later celebrated a Catholic ceremony in Carolina's home country of Colombia. In 2006, the couple moved to Tyler, TX and in 2007, they spent six months in London working, before returning to Tyler to build their life and family together.

In Tyler, Joe became a well-known face in the culinary and faith communities. He worked at Kiepersol and The Cascades and served as the Wine Manager at FRESH. He also spent many years inspiring the next generation as a Culinary Arts Instructor for both Tyler ISD and Tyler Junior College (TJC). Joe shared his passion for global cuisine by chaperoning students on life-changing international trips. In 2002, he served as a Faculty Supervisor for a three-month trip to France with students from Paul Smith's College and later joined a colleague from Tyler ISD to lead students on a two-week experience in Northern Italy. Joe was a natural mentor and stayed in touch with many of his students long after their graduation.

Most recently, Joe served his faith community as the Assistant Business Manager at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.

Joe truly "brought the Italian experience to Tyler", sharing cherished recipes he learned from his grandmother Carzo and his mother, Mary Ann. He was happiest when cooking for a crowd and he and Carolina warmly opened their home every Christmas Eve to friends and families who were far from their own relatives. While his roots were Italian, he mastered Colombian staples like ajiaco, buñuelos and sancocho and other dishes like momos to almond mole. Joe took special pride in sharing his talent with his children, packing "fancy" gourmet school lunches for Luca and Daniela, meals so sophisticated they were likely the only ones of their kind in any Texas cafeteria. He was their ultimate "cheerleader", a constant presence on the sidelines for Luca's taekwondo, soccer, baseball and swimming and for Daniela's Special Olympics track, bocce and swimming. It was during his time as a stay-at-home father to Luca, that Joe's weekly presence at Tuesday's Adoration and Rosary led him to a special friendship with Betty Chandler. Betty and her husband, Connie, became like family, serving as "Hop and Pop" cherished honorary grandparents to his children.

Joe had a very strong faith and truly knew the "ins and outs" of the Catholic Church. If anyone had a question, Joe had the answer and could explain the "why" behind any Catholic tradition; it was a strength of spirit he was proud to see take root in his son, Luca. A "Sir Knight" and a pillar of the Knights of Columbus for 34 years, Joe served as a District Deputy and Past Grand Knight for Council #14636.

He was also a passionate genealogist who loved solving family mysteries and connecting the dots of his heritage.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Carolina Guzzetta; two children, Luca and Daniela; parents, Joe, Sr. and Mary Ann; sister and brother-in-law, Anna Marie and Michael McCabe; nephew, Giovanni McCabe; and his niece, Kathleen Smith and her husband, Hayden. Also surviving are his uncles and aunts, Frank "Cic" and Josie Carzo, Matthew and Elaine Guzzetta, James and Charlene Guzzetta, Joanne and Paul Babela, Phyllis Carzo, Carol Carzo and Cindy Carzo; as well as many dear cousins.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Frank and Ann Carzo; paternal grandparents, Matthew and Alberta Guzzetta; and uncles and aunts, Joseph and Marie Carzo, Rocco and Lena Carzo, Carmen Carzo, Anthony Carzo and George Carzo.

Joe's Funeral will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, beginning with a Rosary at 10:30 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 AM, from St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Flint, TX. Joe will be laid to rest in the columbarium at St. Mary Magdalene. Relatives and friends may view the Mass via a live stream at www.stmarymagdaleneflint.org or on their Facebook page at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held in Utica in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Children's Miracle Network in Tyler, the East Texas Down Syndrome Group or the St. Mary Magdalene Building Fund.

Fond memories and messages of sympathy may be shared at www.heintzfuneralservice.net.