Juan Agustin Gutierrez, 75, of Colts Neck and Key Biscayne, Florida, passed away peacefully July 30, 2023. He was born July 20, 1948, in Camaguey, Cuba, the middle child of Juan Ramon and Angela Teresa Rioseco Gutierrez. He was raised in Camaguey with his two sisters, Elsa Gutierrez and Sr. Teresa Gutierrez FMA, and brother George E. Gutierrez, until moving to New York City at the age of 13.
Juan arrived in Whitestone, Queens, in 1962 as part of “Operation Pedro Pan” to live with his grand-uncle. Juan finished grammar school at Saint Luke’s and went on to attend St. Helena High School, run by the Marist Brothers in the Bronx. When his parents and young brother arrived from Cuba in 1966 in the Freedom Flights he was reunited with them and the family moved to Paterson.
Juan attended the Newark College of Engineering, then worked three years for the City of Paterson, followed by seven years with the Cruz Construction Company. In 1978 Juan founded his own civil construction company, Northeast Utility, performing work in sewer and water pipelines throughout the state of New Jersey. Over the years his company expanded its capabilities and geographic reach and acquired additional construction companies. Juan was the Chairman of JAG Companies, Inc., whose entities include Northeast Remsco Construction and Caldwell Marine International, both based in Wall Township, and Huxted Trenchless based in Texas. The companies perform a variety of civil construction work including pipelines, tunnels, directional drills, bridges, highways, treatment plants and rail stations, specializing in the installation of submarine cables. These companies presently work throughout North America and the Caribbean.
Juan has served as past president and an executive board member of the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association of NJ; former regional vice president of the National Utility Contractors Association; executive committee member of The General Contractors of New York; and was a member of The Moles. Juan also previously served as vice chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation.
Juan was an avid golfer, hunter, storyteller, world traveler, and fighter for human rights in Cuba. He loved history, reading, shopping, ballroom dancing, horse racing and the three breakfast clubs he ate with. He was the center of attention when gathered with friends, telling jokes and sharing his life’s journey from Cuba and the evils of communism. He asked many questions in conversation, wanting to know every detail of your life if you were willing to share. He cared about the people he met.
Juan was a congregant of The Parish of Saint Mary, Colts Neck. His faith and involvement in the church was very important to him.
Juan is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Marta Gutierrez (Torres), with whom he raised five children: Patricia Lee, John (Jessie), Roly (Tricia), Brian (Heather), and Angel (Deena). Juan also leaves behind his brother, his two sisters, 10 grandchildren, three nephews, three nieces, and more family and friends than one can count.
The family held a visitation Aug. 2 at The Parish of Saint Mary, Colts Neck. A remembrance was be offered that day. A Mass of Christian Burial followed in the church. Services were held Aug. 4 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Key Biscayne, Florida.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that donations be made to Monsignor Scanlan High School, where Juan attended as a child and served on the board of trustees as an adult. Donations can be made by visiting scanlanhs.edu and selecting the Juan Gutierrez Scholarship fund, or by sending a check (“In Honor of Juan Gutierrez” in the memo section) to Monsignor Scanlan High School, 915 Hutchinson River Parkway, Bronx, NY 10465.
For messages of condolence, please visit Juan’s page of tributes at holmdelfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the August 10 – 16, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
