Brian Guzman, age 66, passed away on May 12, 2026, at home under the care of Compassus Hospice, surrounded by his loving family and friends, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Brian was born on October 30, 1959, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to Norbert and Loretta (Firkus) Guzman. He attended St. Stanislaus Grade School and graduated from Pacelli High School in 1978.

On July 13, 1985, Brian married his high school sweetheart, Mary Kobishop, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Their wedding reception was the last wedding reception ever held at Pacelli High School, making the day even more memorable. Together, Brian and Mary built a life filled with love, travel, family, faith, and countless treasured memories.

As a teenager, Brian worked afternoons and evenings at the Greyhound bus depot on the west side. He took great pride in the responsibility he was given at such a young age, skillfully moving and parking buses in all kinds of weather. His strong work ethic, confidence, and dependability were evident early in life and remained with him throughout the years.

Brian began working at the Wisconsin River Division of Consolidated Papers on April 19, 1979, as a general laborer. Over the years, he continued his career through several mill ownership changes and worked his way up the ladder. He attended Mid-State Technical College, where he earned a degree in supervisory management. Brian retired from ND Paper’s Biron mill on October 1, 2019, as the Woodyard/Wood Room Superintendent after 41 years of dedicated service. Before and after mill shifts, Brian also helped his father wire houses for the family business, Norb’s Electric.

During his freshman year of high school, Brian met two lifelong friends, Dave Barr and Tim Kaczmarek. Together, they became known as the “Triple Trio,” a close friendship that lasted throughout their lives.

Brian was active from a young age. He was a Boy Scout and played football and basketball in grade school. He later enjoyed coaching his nephews in youth sports. He loved hosting family gatherings and took great pride in bringing people together.

Brian was a true “funcle” to all of his nieces and nephews. He brought laughter, fun, encouragement, and love into their lives, and he took great pride in being part of their special moments. Whether coaching, cheering them on, telling stories, or simply spending time together, Brian made each of them feel important and loved.

A devoted sports fan, Brian loved cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Bucks. He was also a longtime season ticket holder for UW-Stevens Point Pointers basketball and traveled to the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia, to watch them win their last national championship.

Brian loved traveling the world with Mary throughout their life together, creating countless memories and adventures along the way. He especially enjoyed salmon fishing in Alaska and eagerly anticipated his annual Canadian fly-in fishing trips, where he was affectionately nicknamed “El Chapo” by his friends. He also cherished time spent at the UB (“Uncle Brian”) cabin in Pittsville, which he proudly helped build.

Brian’s favorite pastimes included golf league, hunting, fishing, making wine, and, above all, spending time with family and friends.

Brian was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1170 and Moose Lodge 1572. He gave generously of his time to causes he cared deeply about, volunteering each year with Special Olympics, where he helped run track events. He also chaired the St. Joseph silent auction for many years and, following retirement, continued serving his community as an election poll worker.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Norbert Guzman, on July 18, 2020, and his father-in-law, Ronald Kobishop, on June 11, 2023.

He is survived by and will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Mary Guzman; his mother, Loretta Guzman; his brother, Kevin Guzman; his mother in law Agnes Kobishop; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Timothy and Nancy Kaczmarek, Jeff and Lisa Dahlseng; his nieces and nephews, Michael (Amanda) Kaczmarek, Andrew (Samantha) Kaczmarek, Zachary (Lauren) Dahlseng, Abbey Dahlseng, and Megan (Sam Franz) Dahlseng; and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Trenton, Grace, Jonah, Harper, and Rowan Kaczmarek. Brian is also survived by Micaela Haupert, and Callyn Stewert who he loved as daughters and proudly considered family.

Brian will be remembered for his strong work ethic, generous heart, love of family, loyalty to friends, and the joy he found in simple moments shared with the people he loved most.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Compassus Hospice, especially Kortney, Melissa, Rosanne, and Brandy, as well as Chaplain Mark, for their compassionate care and support. They are also deeply grateful to Father Hennes and the St. Joseph Catholic Church family for their prayers, kindness, and support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be established in Brian’s name at a later date. To honor Brian’s memory, the family invites you to put a little extra pepper on your dinner tonight, as Brian was a proud pepper lover. His memory will live on in the stories, traditions, laughter, and love he leaves behind.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Brian at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1709 Wyatt Avenue, Stevens Point. Reverend Jeffrey Hennes will be officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow in Guardian Angel Cemetery. Pisarski Funeral Homes is honored to serve the Guzman Family.