Michael Lee McGuire "Chef Mike"

October 18, 1984 - January 1, 2017

Michael Lee McGuire, “Chef Mike” as best known to others, passed away peacefully at the age of 32 at home surrounded by family. Michael’s yearlong battle with Pancreatic Cancer spoke to how he lived his life. Full on with no holds bar, never letting it slow him down. Michael is survived by his grandparents: Ruby Nell Bowman of Ruskin, Florida and Dinty Lee Bowman of Ruskin, Florida. His aunt and uncle: Deborah Ann and William Alan Lennard of Ruskin, Florida. His uncles: James Bowman Harris and Donald Bowman Harris of Atlanta, Georgia. His uncle and aunt: Clarence Daniel and Trisha Bowman of Ruskin, Florida. Cousins from Ruskin Florida: Rachel Michele Lennard, Regina Michele Diaz, Rick Vasquez, Joseph Diaz, Kyle Lee Bowman, Tasha Strickland, Dorsey Strickland, Yolanda Bowman, Jimmy Santjer, Tamra Bowman, Ron Ricker, Daniel Bowman, George Diaz, and Elizabeth Marie Harris of Atlanta, Georgia. Great cousins from Ruskin, Florida: Cole Alan Carter, Rylie Michele Vasquez, Jostin Diaz, Sesley Vasquez, Anthony Vasquez, Lane Strickland, Layla Strickland, Nicholas Ricker, Hunter Ricker, Blake Bowman, and Oliva Diaz. He is preceded in death by his mother, Teresa Ann Anderson of Ruskin, Florida. Michael was born on October 18, 1984 in Tampa, Florida to Teresa Ann McGuire. He graduated from East Bay High School in 2003, Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts in 2006. After moving to Miami Florida to attend Johnson and Wales, after graduating Michael began working for Egg Whites as a catering chef. Michael earned the title of CHEF MIKE through his hard work, his amazing ethics, and love of his career. Michael (Chef Mike) left Egg Whites to earn his positon as Executive Chef at Barry University in Miami Florida. After Michael learned of his cancer he transferred to Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota Florida as Executive Chef. His cancer never slowed him down. Michael was accomplished in his skills as a master chef but it was his love of his family and friends that were his driving force. Michael’s amazing personality and acceptance of all people is seen in the countless number of friends he made while traveling across the nation to various music festivals. Michael was truly a person who never met a stranger. Once he met you, you became a friend. His time on this earth was short but his memory to all he touched will last an eternity. A funeral is scheduled for 1:00 pm on January 21, 2017 at Friendship Baptist Church 1511 El Rancho Dr., Sun City Florida., with a reception to follow at the home of Danny and Trisha Bowman 2820 11th Ave SE Ruskin Florida 33570. Michael’s Uncle, Reverend James Bowman Harris will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Michael’s life. Offering a helping hand or just offering his genuine friendship was Michael’s nature. It is this nature and the hopes of keeping Michael’s spirt alive, his family hopes to begin a scholarship in his memory. The “Chef Mike’s Culinary Arts Scholarship,” will be offered to a local high school senior to attend Johnson and Wales University for Culinary Arts. His family asked that in the hopes for this scholarship to become reality that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Chef Mike’s Culinary Arts Scholarship fund make all checks payable to Michael McGuire. Donations can be sent to the care of Kyle Bowman at 1723 Ivory Goose Pl. Ruskin Florida 33570.