Thomas J. Guido was born on February 16, 1916 to Josephine and Thomas J. Guido who lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The family later moved to Phoenixville to 237 St. Mary’s Street before 1920.  They moved again to 325 North Street by 1943.  Thomas was the second oldest of eight children: Frank, Thomas, Mary, Angeline, Dominic, James, Anna, and Lawrence Jr.  His parents emigrated from Italy to start their family.  His father was a laborer at a steel mill.

Thomas who liked to be called “Mozzie” graduated from St. Mary’s school, at South and Grant Streets, (still used by the parish but not as a school). He then attended the High Street School, an elementary school located on north side, middle of the 400 block of West High St.  Today it is a playground, next to the Fellowship Fire Company (which had since expanded onto part of the school property).

Thomas was well known in Phoenixville as a baseball player, playing for the Community Twilight League.  He worked at the Phoenix Iron Company, and was a member of St. Mary’s, the North Side Citizen’s Club, Sons of Italy, St. Anna DiCaserta Lodge, and the Friendship Fire Company.

Thomas enlisted in the Army on April 8, 1941.  He served at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, Camp Croft, South Carolina, Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and Louisiana on major maneuvers.

Thomas returned home on furlough on Wednesday, March 17, 1943.  He appeared healthy when he arrived home, but was stricken ill Saturday.  He became violently ill on Sunday and was admitted to the Valley Forge General Hospital on Tuesday the 22^nd.

Private First Class Thomas J. Guido Died Non Battle on March 25, at the Valley Forge Hospital from meningococcal meningitis.   This disease is very contagious and affects the spinal cord and the lining of the brain.  Death can occur within 12 – 24 hours of symptoms.

The funeral was held on Monday March 29^th at St. Mary’s Church, followed by interment with full military honors.