John Jr Hurguy

John Hurguy Jr. of Scottsdale passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 2, 2015 at the age of 95. John was one of four sons born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 2, 1919 to Mary Yenigar and John Hurguy Sr. He proudly served his country during WWll being awarded 4 Bronze Stars by the US Army.  In 1947, he moved his wife Gizella and their daughter, Mary Louise, to Phoenix to join his father in operating John’s Café at 1104 East Van Buren.  Several years later, his younger brother Bill joined him beginning their lifelong entrepreneurial endeavors by establishing a partnership which lasted well over 20 years.  In 1960, after selling John’s Café, the brothers founded and co-owned the original Tee Pee Tap Room at 4144 East Indian School Rd and several years later, El Tango Mexican Food at 7835 North 19th Ave.  Their longtime successful partnership ended when the brothers sold El Tango which led to John opening the La Placita Mexican Restaurant at 4117 North 16th Street with his wife Gizella and son in 1971.  Then, after over 27 years of selling some of the finest Sonoran Mexican Food in the valley, John decided to retire and sold La Placita. Retirement didn’t last long as he determined after five days it wasn’t for him.  John quickly took a position at Marriott’s Camelback Inn which eventually led to him working closely with the Director of Golf, Roger Maxwell, and his team of professionals with whom he formed a lifelong friendship. John subsequently did not retire from his second career until he was 80 which allowed him many more opportunities to continue to bring smiles and laughter to all that came into contact with him with his sense of humor, quick wit and penchant for nicknames.  He was known affectionately and will be remembered as “Gumba” by many of his young friends.  John was predeceased by his loving wife Gizella, and brothers, Ernest, Edward and William (Bill).  He is survived by children Mary L. Bryg and John Robert (Christina); grandchild, Sarah, and 14 nephews and nieces.  Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 7th 2015 at 10:00 am at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 11300 N. 64th St., Scottsdale.  Interment will take place immediately following Mass at St Francis Cemetery, 48th St. & Oak, Phoenix.  The family thanks the Hospice of the Valley as well as the Mayo Clinic ER/Hospital teams and Family Medicine group for their wonderful care and incredible support of our dad.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Sherman Home Hospice of the Valley (hov.org) 5801 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, 85054 or the St. Vincent de Paul Society (stvincentdepaul.net) 420 Watkins Rd., Phoenix, 85003.

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