Vince Giardina

Vincent Giardina, 86, of Bourbonnais, died Wednesday (April 13, 2011) at his home, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. At Mr. Giardina's request, there will be visitation only from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, it was Mr. Giardina's request that memorials be made for his grandson Adam Despain's education. He was born Aug. 8, 1924, in Kankakee, the son of Vincent and Pauline Solomoni Giardina. Mr. Giardina was a commercial realtor and developer and was in real estate since 1955. He owned and operated Giardina Commercial Realtors, A&G Sparkle Car Wash, EZ Lube 10-Minute Oil Change, Aldi Foods and Pizza Hut. He was responsible for land acquisition for retail developments in the state of Illinois and Indiana; and developed and was part owner of Evergreen Acres. He was involved in projects throughout Illinois, Indiana, Florida and California, including developing Best Buy appliance in Lansing, Burger King, Mr. Steak, Taco Bell, Baker's Square, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Restaurant, Perkins Cake & Steak (15 throughout Illinois and Indiana), Long John Silver's restaurants, Pizza Hut, Eagle Food, Marathon Oil, Aldi Foods, Krogers, Walgreens, OfficeMax, CVS, Bradley's Garden, Arby's, Ponderosa Steak House, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Steak 'n Shake, Wendy's, Golden Bear Family Restaurant, K's Merchandise Mart, Lowe's home hardware, IHOP, Play It Again Sports and the Red Roof Inn. He retired from commercial real estate after 47 years. He was a member of the National Association of Realtors, Kankakee County Board of Realtors and the Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors. He attended Calvary Bible Church. He spent his retirement enjoying the time with his wife, Jan, and grandson, Adam. He loved sports, cooking, woodworking, Bible study and fellowship with friends and members of Calvary Bible Church. They were very supportive through many difficult illnesses showing love, compassion and many prayers. Mr. Giardina lived his life to the fullest and was grateful for all of his blessings. He was a wonderful, loving, attentive and giving husband and grandfather. He looked forward to the weekends he spent with his grandson, Adam, who was the joy of his life. Surviving are his wife, the former Jan LeDuke, whom he married Sept. 13, 1987; one son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Melissa Despain, of Bourbonnais; two grandchildren, Adam Despain, of Bourbonnais, and Dustin (Tandy) Ahlemann, of Washington; great-granddaughter, Aubrie Ahlemann, of Washington; brother-in-law, Claude Baker, of Kankakee; two sisters-in-law, Sharon Giardina, of Bradley, and Mary Giardina, of Kankakee; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Joseph, Ralph, Sam and Jules Giardina; five sisters, Bridget Caleca, Mary Mitchell, Veneda Castongia, Madeline Baker and Rose Moreno; and three nephews, Brian, Jim and Richard Giardina.

Vince Giardina

August 8, 1924 - April 13, 2011