Francis "Frank" J. Guest

Francis J. Guest “Frank”, 91, of Blackwood, NJ, passed away at home, surrounded by loving family on September 16, 2026.

A longtime resident of Washington Township, Frank was a man who wore many hats throughout his life—soldier, police officer, security guard, coach, mentor, teacher, athlete, motorcycle enthusiast, sports fan, &, above all, a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle & friend to many.

He proudly served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps with distinction, serving in Korea & completing two tours of duty in Vietnam. His military service earned him a Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, & three Purple Hearts. It was in the Marines where he became a two-time black belt & hand-to-hand instructor for fellow marines. Frank’s commitment to helping & protecting others continued when he returned home, where his testament to discipline & determination continued to follow him throughout his life. He began his law-enforcement career at Stockton State, serving 2 years as a campus police officer before transferring to the Camden County Park Police. He devoted 20 years of dedicated service to the department before retiring.

But retirement never really meant slowing down for him.

For the next 8 years, he worked security at the Battleship New Jersey, followed by another 14 years providing security at Kennedy Hospital – Washington Township. Even after decades of military & law-enforcement service, he continued to show up, help others, & make himself someone people could count on. 

Frank loved football & found great joy in coaching, sharing not only his knowledge of the game but also the lessons of teamwork, discipline, perseverance, & character. To the many people he coached & mentored, he was more than a coach—he was a teacher & a role model. He enjoyed friendly competition as well, participating in numerous bodybuilding contests. He took pride in challenging himself & pushing his limits, just as he had done in every other chapter of his life.

He was a die-hard Eagles & Phillies fan, loved his motorcycles, shooting a good game of pool, & always enjoyed a good game of poker. You would always find Frank sharing his magician’s tricks & collecting random trinkets—always finding something interesting, unusual, or entertaining to add to his collection. During his younger years, he enjoyed training the family dog, Dingo.

Frank had a natural curiosity & an incredible willingness to share what he knew. In so many people's lives, he became the person they turned to—their go-to guy. If someone had a question, needed advice, needed something fixed, needed a story told, or simply needed someone to talk to, he was there. He was a teacher to everyone.

He shared his knowledge freely & took pride in helping others learn. His lessons weren't always taught in a classroom. Sometimes they came through a story, sometimes through a joke, sometimes through experience, & sometimes simply by watching the way he lived his life.

But for all the accomplishments, awards, careers, hobbies, & stories that made up his extraordinary life, nothing meant more to him than his family. Above all else, they came first & there was never any doubt where his loyalties stood. The moments spent together, the conversations, the laughter, the celebrations, the pool days, the ordinary days, & all the memories made along the way were his greatest treasures. His family was his pride, his joy, & his greatest accomplishment.

He gave so much of himself to his country & his community, but those who knew him best knew that his greatest role was simply being there for the people he loved.

Frank is survived by his wife, Margaret C. Marino-Guest, his former spouse & mother of his children, Lenora A. (Masa) Guest; his children: Kathy Maloney, Annetta Lane (Ronald), Helene Pricoli (William), Lenora Fazzio, Bernadette Cirillo (Stephen) & Jennifer Guest-Elentrio (Greg), Grandchildren: Frankie Lane, Heather Martino, Ronnie Lane, Adrienne Petolicchio, Nicole Fazzio, Lenora Fazzio, Jenna Cruice, Michael Fazzio, Lena Van Antwerp, Christopher Pricoli & Mya Williams; 14 Great-Grandchildren & 2 Great-Great Grandchildren. Frank is also survived by his long-time friend, Arteo Caimbon.

He is predeceased in death by his parents, Frank V. & Helen T. Guest, brother Charles Guest & sister Ann “Nancy” Gushue, & son in law, Craig Van Antwerp.

Relatives & friends are invited to his viewing on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 8:00am until 10:00am at the McGuinness Funeral Home, 573 Egg Harbor Road, Sewell, NJ 08080. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am at the Church of the Holy Family, 226 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ 08080. Interment and Military Honors will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 550 Delsea Drive, Sewell, NJ 08080. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Frank’s memory to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at colorectalcancer.org/get-involved