DON RAY GUZZETTA, MD

Don Ray Guzzetta, M.D., age 83, passed away peacefully at his home while surrounded by family on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
Don was the loving husband for 43 years of Teresa White Guzzetta; father of Dr. Nina A. Guzzetta, Courtney C. Merwin (Larry), Anthony R. Guzzetta (Edina), and Ginger G. Touzet (Pierre); and grandfather of Clayton Merwin, Caroline Merwin, Felix Touzet, Emile Touzet, Alex Guzzetta, and Philip Guzzetta. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Guzzetta and Ruth Awagain Guzzetta.
Don was born and raised in Berwick, Louisiana, and graduated from Morgan City High School. He attended L.S.U. in Baton Rouge and graduated from L.S.U. Medical School in 1963. He was a lieutenant in the US Navy Medical Corps and proudly served his country as a trauma surgeon during his tour in Vietnam. After returning in 1971, Don joined the East Jefferson General Hospital community as a General Surgeon. He was an active member of the medical staff for over 40 years until his retirement in 2017. In addition to his practice at East Jefferson, he was a member of the staff at Lakeside Hospital and was a founding member of Doctor’s Hospital in Metairie. Throughout his career, he was respected by his colleagues and loved by his patients. When in retirement he often said that what he missed most was his patients.
Don was a member of the A.M.A., and past president of the Jefferson Parish Medical Society. He joined his wife in support of many philanthropic organizations, including J.P.A.S., New Orleans Opera Association, New Orleans Ballet Association, and Cancer Crusaders. He was also a member of the Krewe of Caesar, where he reigned as Emperor IX.
Besides being a devoted family man and surgeon, Don was an accomplished artist and he enjoyed gourmet cooking, gardening, and travelling the world. He was as comfortable at the opera and ballet as he was on a fishing boat or in a duck blind. Don had a love for nature, and loved his home in Colorado, where he enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hiking, and skiing.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Alton O. Sartor, Dr. Kendra Harris and the entire medical team at Tulane Cancer Center, Hospice Associates, and caregivers Loanys, Belinda, Ethel, Sonya, Christina, Shantell, and Brenda.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Metairie, Louisiana, on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 12:00 PM. The interment was privately held in Metairie Cemetery.
Please consider a donation in Don’s memory to East Jefferson General Hospital Foundation, Cancer Crusaders, or the New Orleans Ballet Association.
To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.