FORT MYERS/PORTLAND – Joe Guidi Sr., SwimSkin founder, business innovator and a Portland original, passed away January 8, 2015 in Fort Myers Florida after a long battle with illness. Joe was born on June 2, 1935 in Portland and grew up in Portland on Munjoy Hill, the youngest son of Italian immigrants Eleuterio Guidi and Josephine Feroci Guidi. Joe was proud of his humble roots and the lessons he learned about the value of hard work, themes he would live by throughout his life. Joe enjoyed telling stories about his youth; shining shoes on Commercial Street, his father making wine in the basement and his days working at the famous Model Market. After serving in the US Marines, stationed in Miami, Joe returned to Portland in 1957 and became a “city” driver for Congdon Transportation. Joe married Sylvia Romano on April 11, 1959 in Portland where they raised their family.
Joe gave generously of himself to his family and friends. Joe and Sylvia’s home was a center of activity. Their doors were always open and there was always an extra seat at the dinner table. Their home was full with friends and family, and provided sanctuary for many. Joe and Sylvia purchased a summer home on Hancock Pond, Denmark Maine, and decided to sign up the children to join the local swim team; two decisions that would set him on a new and improbable journey. Over Joe’s early years in the swimming community, he was a dedicated parent seldom missing a chance to watch his kids compete. Joe was so committed to fostering his children’s swim careers, that during the summer months while at the lake, he built custom swimming lanes so his kids would not miss their daily practice. Joe loved the swimming community and spent his weekends taking his kids and other team members to swim meets across the state and throughout New England. He took a leading role, eventually serving as the President of the Pine Tree Swim Club in Portland.
In 1978 Joe and Sylvia founded Swimskin, opening their first store on High Street, moving to Congress Street and eventually Woodfords corner. Additional Swimskin stores were also opened in Florida and Connecticut. Over the next 30 years, Joe would work tirelessly serving the needs of thousands of swimmers. It was during the Swimskin years that Joe’s improbable journey through life reached its pinnacle. Joe was an innovator who entered the world of custom team apparel at its infancy. His natural talent was to understand the needs of his customers and constantly innovate new products to meet those needs. Through his hard work, Swimskin became one of the nation’s leading competitive swim team apparel businesses. Joe’s love of swimming never ended. He was most happy at a swim meet.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife Sylvia of 55 years, his children, Joseph “Peter” Guidi Jr (wife Lisa Guidi), James Paul Guidi (wife Alice Guidi) and Gina Pabalan (husband Dr. Ramon Pabalan); Grandchildren Joseph Peter III (wife Jenna Guidi), Deandra King (husband Garrett King), Kimberly Wan (husband Nathan Wan), Tanya Guidi, Stephanie Guidi, Daniel Guidi, Christopher Pabalan, Grace Pabalan; and great granddaughters, Lily Plikunas, Holland King and Luciana Guidi.
Special thanks to Peter Guidi for providing this obituary.
Mr Guidi,
You will be highly missed but never forgotten. You were such a big part of my younger years, I still talk about you to this day (and will continue). R.I.P.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
April,
Thank you for your kind words. Joe loved encouraging young swimmers. I’m so happy to hear you remember him kindly.
All the best,
Sylvia
Dear Sylvia, Gina, Jim, and Peter,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. If I had known, I would certainly have attended services for him. He was always so wonderful to April and me. My feelings and prayers are with you.
Al
Al,
Thank you for your kind words. Joe always enjoyed meeting with you and seeing April.
Best regards,
Sylvia