Rainer Guevarra

Rainer Guevarra, 64, of Orlando, passed away June 11, 2014. Telling a priest it takes courage to sing Elvis songs, dedicating a picture of Heaven he created for his wife, creating comic book artwork for his doctors, leaving a legacy of encouragement, strength, and dignity are all wonderful ways to describe Rainer. Filipino, Canadian, American are more ways to describe him because of where he called home. Rainer was born and raised in Tanauan, Batangas, in the Philippines. He was the baby of the family, with 3 older brothers, Jun, Romy, and Frank, and 1 sister, Helen. For college he went to the University of Santo Thomas where he graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Advertising. His first advertising job was for Ad Smith in Manila where he worked on TV animation commercials. In 1972, he moved to the Great North in Toronto, Canada. He was still single, but ever since high school he had been writing in his notebooks a particular woman's name without ever knowing anyone of that name. It was then in Toronto where he met Sharon - the name he had been writing. After a short engagement of only 6 months, they married. This union from worlds apart found hope by God to be a truly loving couple and a model of marriage. They had twin sons, Basil and Shaun. While working long hours, he always made time when his wife arranged picnic lunches in the park with their babies. Creative, Artsy, Determined, Hard Worker are other ways to describe Rainer. In Toronto he worked as an executive art director with ad agencies such as Retail Advertising, Grey Canada, and Kornblum. He managed many known retail accounts such as Bally shoes, Burger King, Foster’s beer, and other blue chip accounts. When he moved to Orlando, Florida in 1994, he was not able to secure a position in advertising. So he sought other ways to make a living for his family including owning, starting, and operating Car Tech Car Repair. He then established his own creative computer consulting agency. Charitable, Humble, Courageous, Leading, and God-fearing descriptions provide insight into Rainer’s interior. In Orlando, he became involved with Knights of Rizal and Gawad Kalinga, organizations which work to assist the community and the poor. He was a member of St. John Vianney parish from the first week he moved here with his family. Through the many opportunities that God provided, Rainer found ways to touch people’s hearts and make everyone feel welcome. He may have looked serious, but he was quick to smile or laugh and bring joy to everyone around him. With his great sense of humor, it was no surprise that he adopted and fed the birds and squirrels out on their backyard. In return, they stayed to play and entertain him during the day. His animated imagination also enabled him to enjoy reading and working on comics with renowned artist and friend Franc Reyes. Always lovingly supportive to his wife Sharon and encouraging to his boys Basil and Shaun, Rainer was a wonderful, loving, and devoted husband and father, so it is very fitting that his viewing is on Father’s Day. Rainer was also a proud grandpa to Basil's two munchkins, Gabriel and Raphael, and we know he will watch them grow from above. Missed, loved, cared for, reason for tears, reason for joy, son of encouragement (inspired by St. Barnabas), a man set apart, a legacy, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, “buddy”, and “boss” - these only scratch the surface of describing the great and wonderful man we called Rainer “Boy” Guevarra.

Rainer Guevarra

April 13, 1950 - June 11, 2014