Residents Recall a Summit Legend

Friend, teacher, mentor, coach, and boss are a few of the words Rick Carbone used to describe the late Domenic  "Dom" Guida during a gym dedication ceremony on Wednesday night. The newly named Guida Gymnasium at the on Morris Avenue was overflowing with Guida’s family and friends, as well as admirers from throughout Summit and the local area.

Dom Guida was a lifelong resident of Summit who worked for the city for four decades, serving the last 15 years as the Director of Recreation. 
Last night, Judith L. Josephs welcomed the standing room–only crowd and introduced Summit Mayor Ellen Dixon for the resolution presentation. 
Dom’s wife, Barbara, and the rest of the Guida family were all there to hear recollections of Dom from several speakers who included John Mallory, Karen Bourque-Scott, John Van Brunt, David Hughes, and “Duggie” Gwathney. 

Master of Ceremonies, Michael Vernotico, affectionately told the audience: “I loved Dom and I know you all loved him too.” Summit resident Anton Evers emotionally recalled many lighthearted moments with his best friend Dom.   

Robert, one of Dom’s sons, remarked that his father may have been uneasy with this level of spotlight, but “this would mean the world to him.”

—By Patti Richards