Joseph L. "Joe" Gutman
June 17, 1945 ~ May 27, 2021
Joseph "Joe" Gutman of Hollywood, Maryland (son of Joseph and Rose Gutman) passed away on May 27, 2021 after complications following a bone marrow transplant through Johns Hopkins Hospital. Despite battling lymphoma years earlier and then leukemia, Joe handled every situation and setback with strength, dignity and even humor.
Joe met the love of his life, Joyce, as childhood neighbors in Marianna, Pennsylvania. They had 53 beautiful marital years together along with three children, Joell, Shawn and Erin, and six grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 23.
Joe lived a modest yet very full life. He took joy in the simple pleasures like yard work and cutting firewood. Upon retirement from teaching in 2005 he and Joyce traveled extensively. His bravest feat was sky diving in Aruba just a few years ago. One of his most meaningful vacations was traveling with his wife and daughters to his grandparents' home country of Slovenia.
While in the hospital he reminisced about his proudest physical accomplishment: completing a five day bike trip with family members from Pittsburgh to DC, logging 100 miles in one day and he wasn't even a cyclist. He was certainly an adventurer and a man who acted decades younger than his age, always active and strong, even while battling cancer.
Joe impacted countless lives, whether through his 38 years of teaching at Esperanza Middle School, as a softball coach/teammate or a fierce competitor on a golf course or tennis/pickleball/basketball court. He was a dedicated family man and a selfless friend who was always willing to lend a hand. As someone recently mentioned "the world never has enough Joe Gutmans".
A Celebration of Life service will be planned in the near future.
Condolences, stories and photos may be submitted for the family to view at www.mgfh.com.
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What a tremendous loss! He sounds like an amazing person. I send my warmest & most sincere condolences to all, especially Joell. Praying your fond memories make the grieving a bit easier. Much Love, Tina Brown
Joe was a fine,kind energetic man but most of all a wonderful family man. He put up a good fight during his illness and was fortunate to have his loving family near him.
Our sympathies to the entire family. May he Rest In Peace.
I remember playing softball against joe and we didn’t recognize each other until the third inning then exchanged a hug. Joe had a terrific game and was a terrific athlete.
Mr.Gutman was a remarkable teacher who left a lasting impact on his students. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
My deepest sympathy to my old friend Joyce and her family. Joe was one of the nicest people when we were going to school. R
R.I.P. Joe
Sending my deepest condolences and warmest thoughts to your beautiful family. I was so blessed as a youth, to have the influence of Mr. Gutman as a teacher, Erin as a close friend, and to always be welcomed into your home and family. Your strong bonds of devotion and love have always been evident. You will be continually in my heart and prayers. I wish you peace and comfort in the coming days.
Warmly, Michelle
Joyce, Shawn, Joel and Erin,
Your dad was an inspiration to many over his lifetime as an educator, father and husband. Liz and I are so very sorry to hear of his passing but from everything we heard, he faced it with courage and strength. Know that we will pray for your comfort in your time of grief.
I never met Joe in person but he and I connected on Facebook last year through a mutual friend! We shared the same political views and instantly felt a deep connection to one another. I was a year behind Joe in college and we wondered if our paths ever crossed all those many years ago. My condolences to the entire Gutman family. May all of your wonderful memories sustain you now and forever!
So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and hugs to all of you.
Joyce & family, Phil and I send our deepest sympathy to you all. Joe was one of the finest gentlemen we have ever known! Sending you hugs! We know your hearts are broken. ❤💔❤
I was fortunate enough to have Joe “Mr. Gutman” as my 7th And 8th grade social studies teacher at Esperanza middle school. I was also given the opportunity to teach with my mentor for a few years at Esperanza in the social studies department before he retired. Once retired, playing golf and tennis continued And Joe was now a good friend. Joe truly has touched many lives including my family, and he will be missed. God Bless Joe and rest easy my friend.
Thousands upon thousands of people (students) were positively impacted by “Mr. Gutman”. Personally he was a beloved colleague, friend and travel partner. Joe’s strength was an inspiration to us all. The world is a better place because Joe was in it. He will be sorely missed. May the Good Lord raise him up on eagle’s wings and hold him in the palm of His hand. To Joyce and family we extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies.
Mr. Gutman was truly one of my favorite teachers. As I got older I enjoyed discussing the time I was in his class (pretty sure I was not his favorite). His sense of humor and welcoming smile were the greatest. I have so many fond memories of him. He is in a better place, and I know he will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs.
I was so sorry to hear of Joe’s (Mr. Gutman) passing. Joe was a great guy. He taught all my boys, I worked with him at EMS. Joe is in a better place and pain free, but this world will really miss him. Will never forget him.
Joe Gutman was a wonderful neighbor, friend, colleague, husband, father, grandfather, and teacher.
We were lucky to live near Joe and Joyce and their terrific family as our daughter Sara was growing up. She was lucky to have his daughter Erin as her best friend. God bless all of them.
Joe was such a great person. I remember him in high school as that smart, kind, guy who you knew you could talk to. Thank you for marrying Joe, and thank you for being his children. You all must have made him so happy. And Joe deserved to have a happy, wonderful life. He was that kind of guy.
I’m so very sorry for your loss! Mr. Gutman was a wonderful teacher and I was lucky to have him as one of my 8th grade teachers at EMS!
Joe and I were team mates on Bowie Silver for a few years and he was a great player and friend. I prayed for his recovery and hoped that he would pull through once more.
I taught high school for 35 years so I have a greater kinship with Joe than I even knew.
My condolences to the family for your loss and I know that you will have fond memories of Joe forever.
We will all miss him.
To Joe’s family. So sorry for your loss. Joe was a really good man, whom I knew mainly through playing softball against him several years in the Over 50 league. He was a good ballplayer and a fierce competitor on the field, but a great guy to talk to after the game. I trust he is with our Lord in Heaven right now smiling down on you all. Prayers for you all.
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a wonderful person, so full of adventure and energy. My condolences to Joyce and the family.
Mr Gutman was my homeroom teacher and teacher. I’ll always remember how patient and kind he was to me; helping with my stubborn locker lol
Over the years, I have always thought of the amazing man and teacher he was. He was my absolute favorite. 🙁
I am so heartbroken to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with his beautiful family.
Joe was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed by many. I recall when I moved in next door in 2005, I asked who is that? It was Joe welcoming us the neighborhood mowing our front lawn. He and Joyce continued to be wonderful neighbors contributing our love of where we live.
They don’t make teachers like Mr. Gutman anymore. Kids today could use someone like him. No disrespect to the teachers in the grind today, just wanted to shout out
May you rest in peace. He was one of the best teacher’s around. He was hard but you did learn when you was in his class.
My friend Joell had just had eye surgery. Her parents were visiting and I stopped by with a friend. Well, I had just retired and started driving a school bus. The kids were terrifying and not listening to me. I was beside myself with anxiety and Joe looked at me and said “quit”. I was taken aback because I knew Joe was no quitter. Thank God I didn’t listen to him. Its been 3 years and I love every one of those bus kids. I will miss Joe’s beautiful smile and very unexpected advice.
One of my fond memories of Joe was when we played volleyball together, years ago at Fallston HS. While Joell was playing in the ladies’ league, Joe and I would play in the mixed league. So much fun!! He surprised me with his great athleticism & volleyball skills. He played with so much control & finesse.
Our deepest sympathies to the Gutman Family.
Darrin, Gen, Drew & Chad Ryan
I extend condolences over the passing from this life of your your loving husband, Joe. We knew each other through baseball years ago and more recently during Friday morning softball at Leonard Hall. We would pick teams for a “Seniors Game”. Joe would be in the most instances the first selected because of his hitting and flawless play at shortstop. He encouraged us to do our best and never lauded over the fact that he was our best player. As pitcher and clean up hitter Joe led our Over 65 St. Mary’s County Team to victory in a Senior Olympics Tournament in Montgomery County a few years ago. We looked to him to get the hit when needed. I have fond, heartfelt memories of Joe. Rest in peace my friend. Ernie Bell
In reading through all the condolences I see the wonderful person that Joe was and the impact he had on students, the community and his friends. Joe was one of those teachers who left an impact on all those he encountered. Our condolences to Joyce and the family. We will fondly remember Joe.
Mr. Gutman was one of my most favorite teachers. He was the only teacher that insisted we say ‘yes’, ‘yea’ or ‘yep’ was never acceptable. He was a tough but fair teacher. Thinking of his family and sending comforting thoughts during this difficult time.
To Joe’s family,
My daughter had the privilege of having Joe for a teacher. In fact, she said she was just thinking of him before he passed. As her mother, I was honored to serve as a chaperon on various school trips.
Joe was such a wonderful and calm person and all of his students loved him. They could talk to him about anything. Kids in middle school are a tough audience to entertain with growing pains, etc.
We send our sincere condolences and love to a great friend and human being.
All our love and sympathy.
Christi Clarke Wood (student)
Chris Lennox (mother)
You were the Best SS Teacher & after school tutor. I’m soo glad I saw you acouple years ago your happy self always smiling. Hugs to you in Heaven. Jennifer Knoefel
I met Joe and Joyce when I was in St. Mary’s boychoir with Shawn. He was a great man and father figure to me. He taught me how to really play softball and excel. Joyce, Shawn and family , a great man has gone up to heaven to be with the Lord. Blessings and prayers to you in your time of mourning. I am music director at Grace Chapel now and Joe always told me to never give up your dream. God Bless
To Mrs. Gutman, Joell, Shawn, Erin and your families,
Growing up, Mr. Gutman was the best social studies teacher. He set the bar high on learning, and that only made me want to do better in class.
I also have fond memories of the after school basketball games. If you could keep up with him on the court, you knew you were at least in shape, while he continued to sink layup after layup over you.
Mr. Gutman will be missed dearly. Peace be with you.