Cathedral High School, Mr. G

Cathedral High School, Mr. G"s Memorial Celebration: Mr. G’s Celebration. Raul Guereca, beloved Cathedral High School teacher, passed away on January 12, 2016 in El Paso. Mr. G, as he was affectionately called by everyone he inspired, was born on July 2, 1937. “Mr. G”, by his students or “G” as he was affectionately called by everyone he inspired. “G” graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953 as salutatorian. BUT, in the early 1960’s he was awarded an honorary Diploma from Cathedral High School, thus making him an alumnus from Cathedral High School. He graduated from Texas Western College as an honor student and Men of Mines in 1960. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a minor in English. His Senior Recital in 1959 was a great success with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, he was offered a job by the Christian Brothers of Cathedral High School to teach English. He proceeded to choir director, drama theater producer/director, spokesman for The Cathedral, student newspaper, as moderator. He enriched the lives and voices as founder and director of the famed Irishaires choir and the Fine Arts drama theater department. During his 40 years as a full-time teacher at Cathedral High, he produced and directed over 80 stage plays and musicals plus countless Irishaire choir performances both at Cathedral High and throughout El Paso. He took the Irishaires to Loretto Academy, and the Catholic grammar schools in El Paso. At 5 am on a cold Easter Sunday he took the Irishaires, and the parents to Mc Kellegon Canyon for Sun Rise Services. At Christmas “G” and the boys, and alumni choirs could be found at the shopping malls, and down town at the San Jacinto Plaza singing Christmas Carols. In 1991, he was named an honorary Christian Brother. He added another award to his name that of ASFC. At his retirement in 1999, the Cathedral High auditorium was named Guereca Auditorium in his honor. After retiring from full-time teaching, he continued as director of The Irishaires and the Alumni Choir until 2004 when his health declined. He is survived by his caretaker, Clay Shurts, CHS'80, A memorial Mass was held on, Feb. 20, 2016 at noon at St. Patrick Cathedral. A brotherhood reception followed at the Multi-Purpose Building at Cathedral. (see: The Dedication later on this section.) He was known for his love of operas, musicals and choir ensembles. In his spare time he got the opportunity to travel to New York and got to see many broadway plays. Later he brought brought those plays and Musicals to Cathedral and the El Paso students. One day G invited a few friends, parents of Cathedral students to include Mr. and Mrs. ______ Ward, parents of former students, and Ernesto and Blanche Martinez parents of Edmond Martinez class of 76. During a brain storming session on trying to raise funds for one of his plays, “Mr. M” and Mr. Ward came up with an idea, to develop and start an Alumni Choir. “G” had had great success with the Cathedral High School Boys Choir. Later he told me that he had not slept, and he started contacting parents and alumni that would help. Again, he had a successful All Male Cathedral High School Alumni Choir, until one lone parent was invited to join but...... he was a Jesuit High School Alumnus. Tires. Ernesto D. Martinez Former Cathedral High Yearbook Advisor