Gurney Wilson Minggia, Sr. (aka Rocky) was born on April 16, 1932, in Northampton, North Carolina, to the late William Lee and Jean Ramsey Minggia. As a child, he moved from the open spaces of his grandparents’ North Carolina farm to White Plains, New York, where he was educated. He was the middle son of three children, William Thomas and Willis Alston Minggia, who preceded him in death. Rocky immediately entered the United States Air Force from high school, where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant (MSgt) as a Chef. There, he prepared meals for the officers’ quarters, earning many awards and accommodations for his service and expertise.
During his years in the service, Rocky had seven children from his first marriage prior to retiring after 20 years of service in the military. His daughters, Belinda and Denise Minggia, preceded him in death. At the end of his marriage, Rocky relocated from New Jersey to New York, reuniting and marrying his childhood sweetheart, Vivian (Nook) Minggia, where he worked for the US Postal Service. They relocated back to the southern roots of North Carolina, where they began continuing to work for the postal service and retired. Together they shared 52 years prior to her preceding him in death in 2022.
Rocky enjoyed working with his hands. He learned to cook from his father, whom he deeply loved and cherished. He gardened, built a fishpond fountain in his yard, created pavers around his deck, and built a patio covering for shade behind his home—all these things he did with Vivian by his side. Rocky loved family, motivating him to move closer to his Minggia roots from New York back to North Carolina. He loved his dogs, too. He desired to have family cookouts in his large yard. He’d barbecue, smoke a pig, make hog head cheese, pickled watermelon rind, make homemade wine, and so much more. He loved being the center of attention and conversation. Rocky was a somewhat complicated man, a mixture of hard and soft. He had a strong, determined mind about what he wanted and precisely how he wanted things done. He was also the gentlest, loving soul you could know, though it was not always easy to understand him. It was not easy for him to express himself, especially on the soft side, but it was there. Rocky was the oldest living Minggia family member at the time of his death. He quietly left us on April 17, 2025, the day after reaching his goal of celebrating his 93rd birthday with some of his children.
Gurney is survived by his children, Shirrolyn Minggia, Gurney Wilson Minggia, Jr, Carrolyn Minggia, Baleeia Minggia Baker (Gerry), Reginald Clark Minggia (Roseann), and William Lamarr Minggia, Sr. (Le’Kisha). Grandchildren, Tamicka Montgomery (Kevin), Kevin Baker (Amanda), Deborah Baker, Tinisha Butler (Christian Sr.), Theodore Minggia, William Lamarr Minggia Jr., Willow Minggia, Naiser Minggia, and Kyier Minggia; great-grandchildren, Christian Butler, Jr. and Nova Sage Butler; a dear cousin/brother, Walter Louis King; special niece, Jacqualine Davis; loyal dog, Thor; good neighbor, Rex Foster; along with a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout the huge Minggia family who will miss him greatly.
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Ramon Minggia says
April 23, 2025 at 7:53 pmUncle Rocky you will truly be missed.
Sharon Moreira says
May 1, 2025 at 10:22 pmPlease accept my deepest condolences,
During this time of sorrow, please know my thoughts are with you.
Guerney’s legacy will live on through the love, kindness, and memories he shared with those around him. May you find strength in the impact he has had on the lives of others and comfort in the cherished moments you spent together. His memory will continue to inspire and guide all who were blessed enough to know him.
John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Shavonda says
May 3, 2025 at 6:13 amI wanted to send my condolences to the family. I will never forget Gurney and Vivian. They are together again. Over forty years ago I remember as a kid them often coming to visit my grandparents (Haywood/Snuke&Rosa/Sis) when in town. I would peek out the window and watch them laugh on the front porch or in that back yard for HOURS. They kept me smiling because Vivian was sooo quiet just to see her laughing having a good time would crack me up! They were good people. Everyone loved them and yes our family had the best cook offs and cookouts especially at Aunt Emily’s and her son Colie house way back when. Those were the good old days I tell ya! Rip GURNEY&VIVIAN
Tiffanie says
May 3, 2025 at 6:14 amWhen the majority of your memories are not fond, it’s hard describe the why behind the sadness.
But if you were part of the family, the harshness was covering love. You may not know it till now that it’s gone, and for that I feel saddened.
It was no easy task to see the soft side of my grandfather, but as he aged there were glimpses that were endearing.
He taught lessons through discipline that I’ll probably always carry, and when I exhibit that thing he engraved in my childhood core, I will get to say my grandfather taught me to be that way, and then I can shake my head and smile at the same time.