The city of Dearborn is saddened by the death of longtime Mayor Michael A. Guido.

Guido died at his home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday after battling cancer. He was 52.

Guido served the Dearborn community as mayor since Jan. 1, 1986 and was in his sixth term of office.

Guido is survived by his wife, Kari, and two sons, Michael Jr., 19, and Anthony, 14.

Despite his diagnosis in February 2006, he continued to work long hours at City Hall and attended public events throughout his outpatient treatment, according to a statement released by Mary Laundroche, Director of Dearborn's Department of Public Information.

Laundroche said he changed the physical face of Dearborn by starting development projects that revived critical downtown areas.

Among his lengthy list of developments, Guido was the most proud of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Laundroche said. The center "is the largest municipally-owned recreation center in North America."

Humor was something he was known for, Laundroche said, and "will be remembered for his ability to use it to make people feel comfortable."

Guido set high levels of public service and initiated programs such as curbside recycling, loose-leaf collection, an emergency warning system and an automated notification system, to name a few.

He visited Dearborn neighborhoods and business districts on a daily basis to personally check on conditions throughout the city, and to talk to residents.

Laundroche said what really mattered to him "was that all residents respected what he called the 'Dearborn Way', cut your grass, look after your neighbor, have pride in your community."

He was popular on the national level, so rumors sometimes circulated that he would run for another type of office and leave the community for another position.

Guido said being the Mayor of his hometown was the 'greatest job and greatest honor in the whole world.'

Laundroche said during an interview a few years ago that Guido stated he wanted his epitaph to read, "He loved the people of Dearborn, and they loved him."

Howe Peterson Funeral Home at 22546 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn will be handling the arrangements. Stay tuned to Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com for updates.

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Remembering Mayor Michael Guido

Mayor Guido's Accomplishments