Richard N. Gauna, Sr.

Richard N. Gauna, Sr., of Adrian passed away on Wednesday November 30, 2022, surrounded by his loving family and friends.  He was born to parents Jose Sr and Alejandra Gauna, on April 3, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas.  He married Maria Cabello, the love of his life, on March 8, 1967, who survives him.  On February 9, 2022 Richard & Maria renewed their wedding vows in the presence of his loving family members. Richard is also survived by his children and their families, Brian Cabello and spouse Sandy Cabello Sr., Joe Diaz and fiancé, Jackie Acorta, Jeff Dias and spouse Veronica Dias, daughter Audrey Lynn Gauna, Rudy Gauna, Sylvia Ann Marie Gauna, Richard Gauna, Jr., Anton Gauna and his "son/grandson", Xavien Santiago Gauna. In addition to Richard’s family he is also survived by an array of  beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his surviving siblings, Rosemary (Sixto) Cruz, Janie Ybarra, Oscar Gauna and Olga (Chilo) Ledesma. Richard was predeceased in death by his parents Jose and Alejandra Gauna, brothers Jose Gauna Jr. Frank Gauna Sr., Raymond Gauna, Albert Gauna, and his sister Veva Cardenes, his granddaughter  Nicollena Hartzell, grandson Joshua Torres  and great grand son Eli Jose Gauna. Richard was known for his love of music, and as a musician he was skilled and self taught and could play various instruments ranging from the acoustic guitar, bass, drums & percussion.  Richard played in various bands over the decades growing up while residing in the City of Chicago as he raised the family he so dearly loved.  Returning from Chicago to his hometown of Adrian, he inflicted his love of music on all who knew him.  Richard loved jazz classics, country, tejano & cumbia, and his taste for music was as diverse as his taste for food.  He and his family enjoyed breaking bread with each other and new friends as every dinner became an enormous event, especially in the summer where he and Anton would take over the grills or kitchen.  As a man of faith, He would love to be remembered with funny, strange, or silly stories that celebrate what was good and blessed in his life as a genuinely happy, loving, caring and giving strong man who was loved by anyone who's paths he had crossed.  As Richard would say, there are no strangers in life, just new friends we have yet to meet.  Viewing & Visitation will be on Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI.  Richard will also lie in state at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Campus, on Friday from 9:30 AM until the time of the funeral mass.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM Friday, December 9, 2022, at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Campus, 405 Ormsby St., Adrian, MI, with Fr. Michael Newman presiding.  Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery followed by a luncheon at St. Joseph Campus.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, Maria Gauna, for final expenses.  www.PurseFuneralHome.com

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