John O'Brien McGuire

john mcguire
John O’Brien McGuire passed away on Thursday morning, October 12, 2017. Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, he came with his wife and three sons to Asheville in July of 1978 to open a private practice of his own in general surgery from which he became a most beloved and successful physician for the next 27 years. He graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, NC and then went on to Durham and entered Duke Medical School for four years. He completed his internship and residency in General Surgery and a fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He spent two years as a Major in the Air Force in Myrtle Beach, SC where he was the chief surgeon. After beginning his practice in Asheville he became a fellow in the American College of Surgeons, and proving his worth he helped form one of the first general surgical partnerships (Regional Surgical Specialists) in Asheville that has since grown and continues to employ exemplary surgeons for this community. He was a board member of the Buncombe County Medical Society, Chief of Surgery at Mission and St. Joseph’s Hospitals, Board Chairman of Buncombe County Heart Association, member of the North Carolina Surgical Society, Chief of General Surgery Section at Mission and St. Joseph Hospitals. John’s medicine was bold, and one of his biggest and extremely important accomplishments was the initiation of Laparoscopic Surgery here in Asheville. He designed and brought online an advanced Laparoscopic training suite at Mission Hospital and taught advanced Laparoscopic techniques to surgeons from all over the U.S. He was then a founding board member of the newly formed Asheville Surgery Center (ASC) and acting Executive Director for a year. If that was not enough, he initiated, organized and established funding for the Mission Comprehensive Regional Breast Cancer Program. In his retirement, his love of learning new endeavors continued unabated. After all that he had accomplished in his career, he became a certified private pilot, obtained an instrument license and flew all over the country and down to the Bahamas and Mexico. He also began to blow glass, especially at the Penland School of Craft in Penland, NC. From being a student of glass blowing, he became a board of Trustees member at the school for five years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors at Deerfield Retirement Center in Asheville. John was an extremely brilliant person who could “fix” anything. He loved to fly. He loved to blow glass. He loved to garden. He loved rebuilding his little Austin Healy Bug Eyed Sprite. He loved to grow and admire his many trees, conifers and roses. He loved to fish. He loved to be with people and he loved to tell his stories (over and over). He loved his family very much. John was a very talented man, a loving husband, a devoted father, a “favorite” grandfather, a dependable brother and a true friend. He is preceded in death by his parents, Grace Moseley Robinson McGuire and William Bulgin McGuire and his youngest son, Malcolm Boyd McGuire. Surviving are his wife, Christine (Tina) McArdle McGuire of 49 years; two sons, John O’Brien McGuire, Jr. (Elizabeth Pagano McGuire) and Peter Buckley McGuire (Jennifer Deuel McGuire); six lovely grandchildren, Larisa Michelle McGuire, Cullen O’Brien McGuire, William James McGuire (Liam), Lucy Mei McGuire, Connor Douglas McGuire, Jack Booth McGuire; one sister, Elizabeth McGuire Petty; two brothers William Bulgin McGuire, Jr. and Robert Boyd McGuire plus nieces and nephews and cousins. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 17 at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Asheville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Penland School of Crafts, P.O. Box 37, Penland, NC 28765; Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St. Asheville, NC 28801 and / or the charity of one’s choice. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.

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  1. I am at a loss for words at this time.
    I am so sorry to hear of his passing and I pray God will surround you with His peace and healing until the hurt is mended.
    He was an outstanding surgeon but more than this,he was a friend to all.There are many people here because of his gifted talents.
    I will miss him.God bless each of you.

  2. Dr. McGuire was a talented doctor and a wonderful person. He helped us several years ago with a surgery and we became friends after that. He would always be willing to give advice on a medical issue or just talk about glass blowing or pheasant hunting. He will be greatly missed and we are so sorry for your loss.

  3. Dr. John performed one of the area’s first Laparoscopic Nissan Fundoplications on me about 30 years ago, and although I read that that surgery has had a bad track record, mine has done beautifully and I’m still alive and well! Sorry to hear of his passing. He was an incredibly talented man. We need many more like him.

  4. Dr. John performed one of the area’s first Laparoscopic Nissan Fundoplications on me about 30 years ago, and although I read that that surgery has had a bad track record, mine has done beautifully and I’m still alive and well! Sorry to hear of his passing. He was an incredibly talented man. We need many more Guys like him.

  5. I worked with Dr McGuire in the MMH ER and respected him and his personal side.He had a clowning side and a business side and I appreciated both.he will be remembered and missed.GOD please show compassion and love toward John o’Brien.

  6. As a nurse on 7th floor at St. Joaeph’s Hosp. , I took care of manyof his post op patients. He was a brilliant surgeon and his patients did great. He performed a remarkable surgery for my husband in 1985 and saved his life leaving him in good health thereafter. Doctors since then told my husband that whomever did hid operation was a brillant surgeon. His wit and humor will be greatly missed.

  7. I worked with Dr. McGuire at Mission and St. Joseph’s Hospital since he came here. He was a wonderful surgeon and man. I played a trick early in the 80’s on him and we had many laughs about it thru the years. One Friday night , I was working in the Recovery Room at Mission and it had been a hectic night. I was at the nurses desk on the phone while standing up. I went to sit down and Dr. McGuire rolled the chair out from under me and I flopped all over the floor. He got a good laugh and went on. On Monday morning I was working as the secretary while ours was on vacation and the OR called to say they were bringing in one of Dr. McGuires patients. Everyone working in RR that day was in one the prank. I got a pillow and sat on it and waited for Dr. M to come in. When he got there, I said. ‘Do you remember pulling that chair out from under me’. He said ‘yes’, I then said ‘ you broke my tailbone.’ He turned white as a ghost and said go to the ER and get any treatment you want and I will pay it. I said ‘ no I have already taken care of it but my lawyer needs to talk to your lawyer’. It was hard to keep a straight face. He was so distressed. As he left to walk out the door, I called out his name, he turned and I started doing jumping jacks. All the nurses started laughing and he knew he had been ‘had’ he was always so kind and helpful to the nurses and that meant a lot to us. My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time.

  8. I was so deeply sorry to hear of John’s passing. My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time.

  9. I worked with Dr McGuire many years ago. He was a great surgeon. Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.

  10. Tina & Family,
    Dr. McGuire was so wonderful with my Mother, operating 4 hours on her 95th birthday and putting up with me calling him to check on her progress. Also, his peonies were beautiful as were all his flowers. I can’t be there today but know how much Lynwood and I thought of him.
    He had tremendous skills and bedside manner. Sounds like his retirement days were enlightening and fun!

  11. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have very fond memories your family. My parents thought the world of Dr. McGuire.

  12. My sincere condolences to you as you mourn the loss of your father and husband. Having worked with John in the OR for over 20 years, I will always remember his wit, warmth, and surgical talent. He always seemed joyfully happy to be in the surgery suite. My kindest thoughts are with you as you journey through his passing.

  13. Tina and family,
    I feel so blessed to have been a patient of John’s and to be his veterinarian while I was practicing. John was and amazing, caring, dedicated surgeon and definitely a ‘one of a kind’. Whenever I saw John in the veterinary office I had a special day. There was NEVER a dull moment when I had the privilege of being with John and pet. I do not think it would have been possible for me to not smile and laugh when I with John. He had a way of being able to make you smile no matter what the circumstances. I will always have such special memories of John. My thoughts and prayers are with all of John’s family.

  14. Tina, Our hearts and prayers are with you as we learn of the news of John’s death. We were so blessed to have a nice visit with you and John this past June at the reunion, and so thankful for your friendship early in our formative years at Davidson and Duke Med. John was a man with much talent and energy in giving in so many areas of life. What a blessing he has been to so many! We share in your suffering as you navigate this new path of life, and will miss John with you. We pray that the knowledge of God’s presence will bring you comfort through this. We hope to soon be able to wrap our arms around you and pass our love to you in a physical way.


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