Ronald George Michael Guest

Ronald George Michael Guest, 84, of Marlborough, a former news reporter and City Hall administrator, died February 26, 2025, of cancer.

He was the son of the late George H. Guest and Shirley E. (nee Courtemarche) Guest. He was also the step-son of Phillip Tallard and the grandson of the late Beatrice V. “Nana” Courtemarche.

He leaves his nephew who he raised as a son, Joseph E Lee Chaves and his wife, Lyn. He was predeceased by his sister, Gayle M. Chaves, his niece, Brenda Lee Chaves, and his nephew, Marc Joseph Chaves, who passed in 2020 and his good friend Rick Robinson.

He also leaves good friends, Jessica Clark, Audrey Comeau and Donald Flint. In 1999, he met and remained a good friend of Bill W.

In 1978 he took the role of father to his nephews and niece making so they had the best childhood possible. Through his love, understanding and mentorship only a father could provide.

Born in Marlborough, he was a confirmed bachelor who was born on French Hill, a neighborhood he never left. He lived and worked here his entire life. A 1958 graduate of Marlborough High School, he came to be certified as a Massachusetts Chief Procurement Officer and a specialist of the Americans with Diabetes Act.

Before embarking on his 30-year career in City Hall in 1976, he was a news reporter for the former City Post and Marlborough Daily Enterprise. After retirement, he wrote a weekly column for the Main Street Journal. In his youth he worked for several shoe factories and Halon Jewelry. In City Hall, he was Executive Aide to the Mayor, the first Personnel Director, and for the decade before he retired, the first Legal Administrator for the City. He was also Chief Procurement Officer, ADA Compliance Officer and Parking Clerk. He retired in 2006 and spent most of his time modifying his cars, taking care of his cats (Milo and Otis) that were adopted from shelters, and doing crossword puzzles. He worked for nine mayors from the late Frank Kelleher in 1976 through former Mayor Nancy Stevens in 2006.

He enjoyed traveling and after crisscrossing America he visited Mexico, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, France, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Germany, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

He was a former member of the Marlborough Lions Club, a member of its Board of Directors; recipient of the club’s Lion of the Year and President’s Awards and served as Lions District 33K Public Relations Director.

Visiting hours for Ronald will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 2:00-4:00pm at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc., 40 Pleasant Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Buddy Dog Society, 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.

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