1920
Juan
2013
Juan Guerra, Sr.
July 26, 1920 — December 10, 2013
JUAN IGNACIO GUERRA SR.
JULY 26, 1920 -DECEMBER 10, 2013
Juan Ignacio Guerra Aymé, 93, of Devon, a prominent architect, and a pioneer of the Modernist movement of the 40's and 50's in Cuba, died peacefully at home on Tuesday December 10th. Grounded in his deep faith in God, he surmounted great adversity after Castro's takeover in 1959. He was forced to separate from his family, his home, his homeland, and leave behind a flourishing career, to start all over again in this country.
He distinguished himself early on in architecture, winning many awards. These include the 1952 National Gold Medal Award in Architecture for the Residence of Nicolas Sierra, currently the Mexican Embassy in Havana. He also won First Prizes for the following buildings, La Tabacalera Building, the Monument to the Soldier of the Cuban War of Independence; the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes; Economic Housing Public Works Competition, the Gamba Residence at the Country Club Park and the Santa Clara High School. He founded the Architecture Program at the University of Villanova in Havana, the second such program existing in the entire country and was loved and respected by his students and colleagues.
Professor Guerra was born on July 26th, 1920 in Havana, Cuba. He attended La Salle School and the Instituto del Vedado, subsequently receiving his Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Havana. His ground breaking designs quickly reached beyond the confines of the University and while still a student he worked with Sony Mendoza with whom he started a firm in 1945. His life and career were shattered by the Cuban Revolution and he was forced to leave his country in 1961 in order to reunite with his family. They had left in two previous shifts: the four eldest placed in St. Vincent's Orphanage in Philadelphia through Operation Peter Pan, and the three youngest and his wife following 8 months later and given shelter at the Mother Cabrini Orphanage in Overbrook. The family finally reunited and they settled on the Main Line. Guerra began to pick up the pieces and worked assiduously to support his large family which by then included his 8 yr old nephew Eduardo Cowley. He was hired by the prestigious firm of Stonorov and Haws in Philadelphia and later at Kravco Architects in King of Prussia. Among his collaborations and individual projects are several landmarks in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area such as the Plaza Hotel, The Crypt of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia on South Broad, the original King of Prussia Food Court , Luther Memorial tower visible from from the Atlantic City Expressway the India Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair as well as solar homes in AZ, NM, DE, and FL (1970); A 1963 Housing Complex in Columbia, South America, and hundreds of public and private residences throughout the US, Canada, South America and Cuba.
Knowing the difficulty of starting over from nothing, in a foreign country, he offered his home to various Cuban and Vietnamese exiles entering the USA in the 60's and 70's.
His artistic vision, unique sense of humor, generosity, passion, love of life and the way he lived his faith, have left the world a more beautiful and better place. He will be missed by all who had the honor to know him.
He is survived by his children, María Josefa Guerra-Fitzgerald, Antonio Guerra, Julia Guerra-Sponseller, Anita Guerra, Juan Ignacio Guerra Jr., and Teri Guerra-Soldat and their respective spouses; 14 beloved grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Juan was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Josefina Recio Guerra, his daughter Maria de Lourdes Guerra Ritchie and his grandson Omar Gabriel Aldilaimi.
Services were held, Saturday Dec 14. In lieu of flowers those who wish to, may make their donations to Aclamo Family Centers www.aclamo.org
The Donohue Funeral Home
3300 West Chester Pike Newtown Square 19073, United States
JULY 26, 1920 -DECEMBER 10, 2013
Juan Ignacio Guerra Aymé, 93, of Devon, a prominent architect, and a pioneer of the Modernist movement of the 40's and 50's in Cuba, died peacefully at home on Tuesday December 10th. Grounded in his deep faith in God, he surmounted great adversity after Castro's takeover in 1959. He was forced to separate from his family, his home, his homeland, and leave behind a flourishing career, to start all over again in this country.
He distinguished himself early on in architecture, winning many awards. These include the 1952 National Gold Medal Award in Architecture for the Residence of Nicolas Sierra, currently the Mexican Embassy in Havana. He also won First Prizes for the following buildings, La Tabacalera Building, the Monument to the Soldier of the Cuban War of Independence; the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes; Economic Housing Public Works Competition, the Gamba Residence at the Country Club Park and the Santa Clara High School. He founded the Architecture Program at the University of Villanova in Havana, the second such program existing in the entire country and was loved and respected by his students and colleagues.
Professor Guerra was born on July 26th, 1920 in Havana, Cuba. He attended La Salle School and the Instituto del Vedado, subsequently receiving his Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Havana. His ground breaking designs quickly reached beyond the confines of the University and while still a student he worked with Sony Mendoza with whom he started a firm in 1945. His life and career were shattered by the Cuban Revolution and he was forced to leave his country in 1961 in order to reunite with his family. They had left in two previous shifts: the four eldest placed in St. Vincent's Orphanage in Philadelphia through Operation Peter Pan, and the three youngest and his wife following 8 months later and given shelter at the Mother Cabrini Orphanage in Overbrook. The family finally reunited and they settled on the Main Line. Guerra began to pick up the pieces and worked assiduously to support his large family which by then included his 8 yr old nephew Eduardo Cowley. He was hired by the prestigious firm of Stonorov and Haws in Philadelphia and later at Kravco Architects in King of Prussia. Among his collaborations and individual projects are several landmarks in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area such as the Plaza Hotel, The Crypt of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia on South Broad, the original King of Prussia Food Court , Luther Memorial tower visible from from the Atlantic City Expressway the India Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair as well as solar homes in AZ, NM, DE, and FL (1970); A 1963 Housing Complex in Columbia, South America, and hundreds of public and private residences throughout the US, Canada, South America and Cuba.
Knowing the difficulty of starting over from nothing, in a foreign country, he offered his home to various Cuban and Vietnamese exiles entering the USA in the 60's and 70's.
His artistic vision, unique sense of humor, generosity, passion, love of life and the way he lived his faith, have left the world a more beautiful and better place. He will be missed by all who had the honor to know him.
He is survived by his children, María Josefa Guerra-Fitzgerald, Antonio Guerra, Julia Guerra-Sponseller, Anita Guerra, Juan Ignacio Guerra Jr., and Teri Guerra-Soldat and their respective spouses; 14 beloved grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Juan was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Josefina Recio Guerra, his daughter Maria de Lourdes Guerra Ritchie and his grandson Omar Gabriel Aldilaimi.
Services were held, Saturday Dec 14. In lieu of flowers those who wish to, may make their donations to Aclamo Family Centers www.aclamo.org
Visitation
Saturday, December 14, 2013 11:30 AM - 1:00 PMThe Donohue Funeral Home
3300 West Chester Pike Newtown Square 19073, United States
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