Guillermo Carballo Rodriguez

Guillermo (Guillo) Carballo Rodriguez passed away Wednesday morning, Jan 18, at his home. He was 66. Guillo had been living with pulmonary fibrosis for some time. He is survived by his partner Saúl Montiel and his brother Ricardo Rodriguez (Tessa Lucas).

Guillo attended the NC Governor’s School and graduated high school from the NC School of the Arts. He received a degree in Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University and spent some years living in the French Quarter of New Orleans, a city that he never stopped loving. Guillo then moved to Durham and did advanced coursework at Duke University while working for the City of Durham Parks Division.

Guillo permanently moved to Asheville in 2001, finding it a center of nature, culture, and LGBTQA+ acceptance. He was a walking, talking chamber of commerce for the city of Asheville over the years. It was through his love of nature, place, and art that he dedicated himself to service including volunteer work with Equality NC, the Asheville Design Center Board, the Asheville City Planning and Zoning Commission, the Asheville City Downtown Commission, the Asheville City Public Art and Cultural Commission, Asheville GreenWorks Board, Asheville City Greenways Committee, Asheville City Tree Commission, Bele Chere Festival, LEAF, and the Shindig on the Green.

Guillo will be missed for his passion and dedication to making Asheville a great place to live. The twinkle in his eye when he thought of a new idea and the energy, he would throw into any project he was excited about made him a special gift to the City of Asheville.

It was his passionate spirit that made everyone who met Guillo want to be a part of his life. He lived his life fully and anyone who called him a friend received one of those strong long hugs that made you feel special. His zest for art, design, nature, creative placemaking, and community is why he was loved by so many. He will be missed by his family and friends for his energy, humor, enthusiasm, and love.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in honor of Guillo to Asheville GreenWorks (www.ashevillegreenworks.org). A celebration of life will be held later this spring when we can all gather outside at one of Guillo’s special places to celebrate a truly special one-of-a-kind individual.