Daniel Guzman Soza, Jr.

Daniel Guzman Soza Jr., 66, of Saginaw, died Monday March 3rd at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was born to the late Daniel C. Soza Sr. & Simona Guzman Soza February 6th, 1948, in Saginaw, MI. Daniel graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1966. He received an Associates Degree in Science from Delta College, a Bachelors in Psychology from Michigan State University and Masters Degree in Education from Antioch College. Daniel was a lifelong Educator at Delta College and Michigan State University and was passionate about making a difference in the lives of everyone he came in contact with. As an activist he was a founding member of the Brown Berets and MECHA of MSU. He was monumental in the Chicano Movement working to support Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. As a public official he served on the Saginaw City Council 1993-2005, National President of HELO (Hispanic Elected Local Officials), President of the Mexican Union Civica and was instrumental in the establishment of the Sister City Project with Zapopan Mexico. He gave freely of his time, serving on committees; Riverfront Development, CDBG Evaluation, City Manager Evaulation, Mayor's Drug & Gang Task Force, and Liaison Committee of Saginaw County Commissioners, Board of Education and City of Saginaw. Tri-City SER Board Member, Benito Juarez Academy Treasurer, and Child Abuse and Neglect Council Board Member. He has been the recipient of awards; Outstanding Service Award Tri-City SER, Outstanding Xicano Alumnus Delta College and Outstanding Service Award International Sister City Project. Daniel was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, he loved to travel, and took many inspiring trips in his lifetime to Africa & Latin America. Since his youth he enjoyed basketball and playing pool with his brother & lifelong friends. He had special place in his heart for his grandchildren and enjoyed going to all of their activities. Daniel is survived by his brother, Mario Soza (Rosalinda); Soul Mate Berta Gillenkirk, three children: Tanya Soza, Inez Soza Perez (Roberto), and Daniel R Soza III (Fenis), all of Saginaw. He also is survived by the mother of his children, Rebecca Reyes Delgado and seven grandchildren; Sergio, Angelo, Tonatzin, Roberto, Matheo, Diego & Romulo as well as two nieces; Angela Rodriguez & Christina (Vicente) Vazquez and a special nephew Mario Soza II. Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 10, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 915 N. 6th Avenue. Friends may visit with the family at W. L. Case & Company, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. Sunday from 2:00 8:00 p.m. where they may join the family to pray the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also call at the church Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. Contributions may be made to the Daniel G. Soza Fund, c/o Wildfire Credit Union. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company Mackinaw Funeral Chapel
4480 Mackinaw Road
Saginaw, MI
US 48603