Dominic J. Guzzetta

Dominic J. Guzzetta, 90, passed away on May 12, 2010 in Akron, Ohio.

He was a native of Western New York State but had been a resident of the Akron area since 1954.

Preceded in death by his wife, Nola Guzzetta in 1976, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, JoAnne Anderson (Jerome) of Sequim, Wash., and Elaine Boehm (Herb) of Roselle, Ill.; three granddaughters, Stephanie Boehm Redlingshafer (John) of East Peoria, Ill., Jessica Boehm Lambrecht (Nick) of Chicago, Ill., Shannon Boehm (fiancé Dan O'Connor), of Roselle, Ill.; two great- granddaughters, Ellie and Ainsley Redlingshafer of East Peoria, Ill.; and close friend, Mary Anthony Weaver of Akron, Ohio.

Dr. Guzzetta served as President of The University of Akron from 1971-1984 following a presidency at Marian College, Indianapolis, from 1968-1971. Prior to that, for 13 ½ years, he held a number of deanships and vice presidencies at The University of Akron before becoming Provost and Senior Vice President. Upon his retirement from the presidency in 1984, he became the president of the I-X Center in Cleveland until 1989 when he accepted a Distinguished Resident Scholar position in Higher Education at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M. Returning fulltime to Akron in 1995, he continued as a Higher Education Consultant nationally filling various interim top-level administrative positions at colleges and universities, carrying out institutional searches for top-level administrative positions, and serving as a higher education consultant to institutions and states. A graduate of The University of Buffalo, N.Y., Dr. Guzzetta earned the Baccalaureate, Master's, and Doctorate degrees in 1948, 1951 and 1953 respectively. However, he also did course work at other institutions such as Alfred University, Syracuse University and The University of Rochester. He was the recipient of honorary degrees from five colleges and universities. Additionally, he received over fifty professional awards, citations and designations as well as a variety of community service, state and national honors and recognitions. He was listed in numerous publications such as Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in Ohio, Outstanding Educators in America, National Register of Prominent Americans and International Notables. He was also the recipient of awards from Toastmasters International, Sales and Marketing Executives Association of Akron, Akron Board of Realtors, and the Alumni Association of the State University at New York. The governors of the states of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky honored him for his leadership in higher education.

During his active years, he traveled abroad extensively, often with higher education leaders visiting selected countries including Peoples' Republic of China, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Iran, Israel, Egypt, England, Italy and Greece, but he was always happy to return to his adopted Akron area.

Prior to his career in education, he started out as a shoe repairman, a professional musician and an active and reserve military soldier earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel having served in the Pacific during World War II. A ``people person' to the very end, he was an active participant in professional, cultural, social, educational and community activities and served on the Board of such organizations as Akron City Hospital, Children's Hospital, Interval Brotherhood Home, the International Institute, Rotary and The Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at The University of Akron, Guzzetta Recital Hall, 139 E. Buchtel Avenue. Parking is available in nearby lots and decks. Calling hours will be held 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Private interment in Silver Creek, New York. Contributions may be made to the Dominic J. Guzzetta Music Scholarship Fund, The University of Akron, Development Department, Akron, OH 44325-2603.

(Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)