| Graduation Year | Class of 1970 |
| Date of Birth | Mar 11, 1952 |
| Date of Passing | Oct 03, 2024 |
| About | Douglas Charles Guinsler, 72, of Zanesville, passed away October 3, 2024 at the University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland, Ohio. He spent his last moments doing what he loved, working in his popcorn trailer at the Loudonville Street Fair. Doug was born March 11, 1952 to Donald and Eloise (Bagley) Guinsler in Zanesville, Ohio. He was a 1970 graduate of Zanesville High School. He grew up behind the fairgrounds and spent many years working on the grounds crew maintaining the fairgrounds. This is how his love for fairs began. Doug also worked at Columbia Cement as a young man from 1971-1983 and was a graduate of Hondros College of Real Estate. Doug and his beloved wife Beverly started their business, Carousel Concessions, in 1980. In addition to his family, working in their popcorn trailers at fairs across Ohio and planning and promoting the Muskingum County Blue Ribbon Fair were the loves of his life. Doug proudly served on the Muskingum County Fair Board since 1975 as the Secretary for over 35 years as well as the Concession Manager since 2008. Doug loved planning and being a part of the magic that was the Blue Ribbon Fair. The two weeks leading up to the fair each year were some of his favorite times that he cherished, and he spent majority of his winter working at the fair office. Doug was a longtime member of the Ohio Fair Managers Association (OFMA) and the Greater Ohio Showmen’s Association (GOSA). He is the only person to have ever served as President of both the OFMA and GOSA. He received awards from the GOSA including Outstanding Achievement in Food in 1987, Special Award in 1996, Concession Manager of the Year in 2011, Fair Secretary of the Year in 2023, and was inducted in the Ohio Fairs Hall of Fame in 2017. Doug spent his lifetime working to improve, promote and protect the fair and carnival industry he loved so much. In addition to OFMA and GOSA, he was also a member of the Ohio Ride Safety Advisory Council, International Independent Showmen’s Association, National Independent Concessionaires Association, International Association of Fairs and Expositions, Outdoor Amusement Business Association, and National Federation of Independent Business. Doug was a lifelong member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Zanesville. His faith and relationship with God was foremost in everything he did. Doug was also a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau, Muskingum County Republican Club, Zanesville Charity Newsies, and past member of Ohio Quarter Horse Association. Doug loved the Boston Celtics and was thrilled to see them win the 2024 Championship. He followed every game each season and achieved a lifelong dream to see them win a game in Boston at the TD Garden. He enjoyed cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes, studying carnival history, following Ohio harness racing, and most importantly spending time with family. He loved being very involved with his grandkids and their activities, just as he had done for his three girls. Doug was a friend to everyone and a leader to many. He was always the first to lend a hand, answer a call, tell a good story and offer free advice. He led by example and was a man of faith, great integrity and character, and chose joy, kindness and forgiveness every day. He was a true Showman in every sense of the word. The midway will be a little darker without his bright light shining. He was the best dad and role model his girls and grandkids could ask for and we can’t wait until we get to “see you down the road.†In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his special father-in-law, George Buchanan, sister-in law, Hope Buchanan, brother-in-law, John Bruning and several special friends waiting to welcome him home. Doug is survived by the love of his life and wife of 48 years, Beverly (Buchanan) Guinsler, whom he married June 12, 1976. He loved and adored her for the entire 50 years they were together. He is also survived by his loving daughters Suzanne (Jim) Delbrugge, Elizabeth (Kyle) Bickford, and Katie (Brian) Linville. Doug was the proud “Pap†to his grandchildren who he loved more than anything: Avery, Cami, Darian, Elise, Max, and Rhett Douglas. In addition, Doug is survived by his two sisters, Melita (John) Scott and Jane Bruning along with many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and an unbelievable amount of friends, many he considered family. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, October 8 from 3:00-8:00 PM at Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home, 2318 Maple Ave. Zanesville. A funeral mass will be celebrated on October 9, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 144 N. Fifth St. in Zanesville with burial at St. Paul Cemetery following. There will also be a celebration of life on November 3rd, 2024, at the Veterans’ Building at the Muskingum Co. Fairgrounds. |
