Gordon Guest, 82; civil engineer worked on N.E. landmarks

GORDON F. GUEST

Gordon F. Guest, a civil engineer who worked on several New England landmarks, died July 31 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, after a long illness. He was 82.

Mr. Guest was born in Portland, Maine, and attended high school at Thornton Academy in Saco. In 1943, he began serving in the Navy as an aviation machinist mate first class, repairing airplanes during World War II. He left the service in 1946 and went to the University of Maine, where he graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1951.

Mr. Guest worked at Charles A. Macguire and Associates, in both their Boston and Providence offices, for 16 years. He then went on to other companies, including Anderson-Nichols & Co. in Boston.

He worked on many notable projects, including helping with the design of Interstate 295 through Worcester and the modernization of the Mount Washington Hotel. He also was on the design team for Bretton Woods' base lodge.

Mr. Guest had a strong love for engineering, said his daughter, Betsey Guest-Natale of Haverhill.

"He was always offered the job as president, but he never took it, because then he wouldn't be doing the civil engineering work he liked to do," she said.

He retired in 1986 but continued to do consulting work. He was asked to consult for the Big Dig project but he declined because he didn't want to get involved in the politics, according to Guest-Natale.

Mr. Guest carried his love of engineering and construction into the home, according to Guest-Natale. She said that he did all of the rehabilitation work on his home in Topsfield, where he lived for many years.

Mr. Guest loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Guest-Natale described her father as a "family man" who worked hard during the week and devoted his weekends to his family, spending a lot of time outside.

According to Guest-Natale, he didn't like television and preferred that his children be outside. She said his one weak spot was old movies, which he loved.

Mr. Guest had several large gardens during his life in which he grew several types vegetables and fruits.

His wife of 40 years, Charlotte (Leary), said he would grow pumpkins for all of his grandchildren. "He grew enough to practically fill a whole city," she said with a laugh.

Mr. Guest was also active in his church community and was a supporter of land conservation, according to his wife.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he leaves three other daughters, Laurie Marchegiani of North Andover, Gretchen Newberry of Tallahassee, Fla., and Cynthia of Scarborough, Maine; a son, Roger of Rockland, Maine; a brother, Carroll of Windham, Maine; two sisters, Sandra Murch and Sally Howe, both of Saco, Maine; and nine grandchildren.

A service has been held.