February 12, 2007

Kari Guido, widow of Conference President Dearborn Mayor Michael A. Guido, who died at his home December 5, 2006 surrounded by his family after fighting a courageous battle with cancer, delivered an emotional tribute to her late husband at the Opening Plenary session of the 75th Winter Meeting. (View Video)

Speaking to a hushed audience, Guido thanked the mayors and Conference staff for their support during this difficult time.

“Eleven months ago, Mike was in the doctor’s office when he first heard that dreaded word: cancer,” Guido recalled. She added that she remembered asking her husband what he planned to do about the Conference of Mayors and he replied that he had every intention of doing his job and fulfilling his term as President of the Conference.

Mayor Guido told the doctor that same day that he needed to be in Las Vegas in June for the Annual Meeting of The Conference. Both Kari and Mike were thrilled to achieve that first goal.

“Mike’s doctors never evaluated him from CAT to CDSI scan; they just worked to get him from event to event of the Conference. His time just ran out, but his love for the Conference of Mayors was always on his mind.”

“ I stand here now in his place to give our heartfelt thanks for honoring my husband, Michael Guido, and for allowing him to serve as what he thought was the greatest job ever — as your President. Thank you for all the encouragement and support that you gave Mike over the past twenty years.”

“On a personal note, I would like to thank Carlotta Cochran, who has been a loving and caring friend since the first day of being involved with the Conference.”

Kari also recalled her husband’s singing talents, imitating Frank Sinatra at the many Karaoke events over the years and, in the words of one of Sinatra’s songs Mike Guido said best describes his entire life and his career as a mayor, to wit: “I’ve lived each charted course. I’ve traveled each and every highway, but more, much more that this, I did it my way.”

Guido concluded by thanking The Conference of Mayors for allowing the family to be part of this illustrious group of The United States Conference of Mayors.