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East County News Service
May 28, 2023 (La Mesa) – Former La Mesa City Councilman Guy McWhirter died May 26, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. A strong voice for La Mesa’s business community, who helped develop the village merchants’ association, McWhirter was also a long-time insurance agent and a Bishop in the Church of Latter Day Saints for La Mesa's second ward in the 1990s.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 2 at 3 p.m. at the LDS church at 5555 Aztec Drive in La Mesa.
McWhirter was elected to the La Mesa City Council in November 2014 and served through 2018, after previously serving on the city’s planning commission. In a 2018 interview with East County Magazine, he said serving on the Council had been “one of the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had,” adding that he enjoyed “working with people who want to make a difference.”
On the Council, he supported programs to boost business in the downtown village, from a farmer’s market to Oktoberfest. He supported efforts to help the homeless and approve the city’s landmark climate action plan.
In a 2014 ECM interview, McWhirter provided his definition of leadership. “Be an example by being the hardest worker and have the ability of encouraging others by giving them a vision of what we are trying to accomplish. Always listen and be willing to accept new ideas.”
McWhirter also served on the MTS board, where he was an early adopter of docking stations for scooters. “I think it’s a great idea-- and I enjoy riding mine,” he told ECM, adding that he utilized a scooter to campaign door-to-door.
A lifelong La Mesa resident born September 29, 1955, McWhirter attended Grossmont High School and Grossmont College. He owned his own insurance agency and later ran a Farmer’s Insurance agency. Married for 45 years, he and his wife raised two daughters.
In addition to serving in his church as a missionary and bishop, he has also served as a district commission for Boy Scouts of America and as a community volunteer with I Love a Clean San Diego, San Diego Blood Bank, Red Cross, San Diego Food Bank, and Kiwanis.
“Guy passed away at home peacefully this morning,” his wife, Joan McWhirter, posted on Facebook on Friday. She voiced gratitude to the many people in the community who provided “an outpouring of love, prayers, flowers, food, and all the help we received.”
On social media, family and friends shared memories of McWhirter.
His nephew, Jeff McWhirter, said his Uncle Guy “taught me to have an energetic love for life, love for family and friends, and kindness to everyone, with a side of sarcasm and humor.”
Sandra Black Gaytan wrote, “Heaven won this round, friend. May you swim the mighty oceans in the sunny skies above. We love and will miss your sincere kindness, optimism, and all around Christlike countenance. You’ve touched thousands of lives- in which you left a piece of your attributes. Each of us has become a better person because we’ve known you. If that’s not what a successful life is, I don’t know what else there is!? Godspeed dear friend, godspeed.”
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