Kevin Rea Guidera of Southampton died on December 13 in Southampton. He was 89.
He was born on July 13, 1934, in Manhattan to the late Francis and Frances (Heelan) Guidera.
He attended Sacred Hearts Primary School in Bayside and graduated from Fordham Preparatory School in June 1952. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Manhattan College and his master’s degree from Stony Brook University, as well as his teaching certification in secondary math from C.W. Post Long Island University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Cape Cod from 1955 to 1957 as a radar operator.
Guidera was a seventh and eighth grade math teacher for 30 years in the Southampton School District, and was the first computer science teacher as well. He coached baseball for many years and was the director of the Southampton Youth Baseball League. He also served as president of the Southampton Teacher’s Association for 10 years and sat on the negotiating team for longer.
In civic matters, he was a member of the Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals for over 35 years, most of them as chairman of the board.
He and his wife, Sheila, belonged to Our Lady of Poland R.C. Church for over 60 years, where he served as Eucharistic minister and altar server and was known as “the oldest living altar boy.”
He loved the water, especially boating with his grandchildren and driving to Conscience Point or the village beaches with his many dogs over the years. He loved sports and was an avid Dodgers and Mets fan. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and dear friends to many places including Ireland, England, and enjoyed several Caribbean and Greek island cruises.
Guidera was a devoted family man and husband and relished planning he and his wife’s 65th wedding anniversary celebration this past September with family and friends.
He was predeceased by his grandson, Kevin Michael Tagliavia; and his son-in-law, Mark Sidor.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sheila (McMahon) Guidera; his brother Brian Guidera and his wife Maureen of Fort Myers, Florida; his four daughters, Kerin Rea Guidera and her husband Don King, Regan Kiembock and her husband Anton, Daryn Sidor, Blair Guidera and her husband Scott Bondi; his beloved grandchildren, Davis King, Rory King, Kivlan King, Conor Kiembock, Caleigh Kiembock, Alixandra McMahon and her husband, Steve, Courtney Sidor and her husband, Edoardo Tessaro, Lucas Sidor, Logan Bondi and Ciara Bondi; and his great-grandchildren, Lawson McMahon and Waverly McMahon.
He also leaves behind by his dogs, Daisy and Duffy.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (arfhamptons.org) would be appreciated.
Visitation was held on December 19 at Brockett Funeral Home and a funeral Mass was celebrated on December 20 at Our Lady of Poland Roman Catholic Church in Southampton.