Anthony Ghilarducci, 73, Nov. 10, 1939-Jan. 25, 2013
Anthony "Tony" Ghilarducci, a longtime crossing guard for Franklin Middle School students, died Friday, Jan. 25. He was 73.
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Obituary courtesy of Hultgren Funeral Home:
Anthony W. "Tony" Ghilarducci, age 73, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died suddenly on Friday, January 25, 2013, at home. He was born November 10, 1939 in Chicago, IL.
Tony was known as "Mr. G" to the children of Longfellow Elementary School and Franklin Middle School as he served as a Crossing Guard for over ten years at the corner of Franklin and Main Sts. in Wheaton, IL. He was a former Vice-President of Floor Operations at the Board of Trade in downtown Chicago where he had worked for over 40 years.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Kathleen Ghilarducci; proud Dad of two daughters, Donna (Ken) Peterson of Wheaton, and Tara (Justin) Frederick, also of Wheaton; loving Papa of four grandchildren, Charlie and Beatrice Peterson, and Finn and Ellery Frederick; cherished brother of three sisters, Lillian Vignola of Oak Park, IL, Lida Ghilarducci of Maryland, and Lolita (Donald) Sickler of Maryland; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 2-6 p.m. Prayers will be said at the funeral home at 5:30 p.m. Interment will be private.
Shannon Whitmer
6:55 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
Mr. G was a wonderful, humble, loving and generous man. His passing is huge loss to our community. He will be missed by hundreds of thankful children and parents.
Sarah Benson
9:04 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
June 4th, 2012: "Today I saw my old middle school crossing guard. He’s an older man who stands on the corner waiting for kids to help them cross the street on their journey home from school. Those awkward middle school years consisted of heart ache and insecurity. Every day as I was on my way home, he would ask me how I was and give me a piece of bubble gum. Today at the ripe age of 19 I walked passed him, and said “bubble gum?”. Without a hesitation he reached into his bright crossing guard vest and pulled out a piece for me. Who knew one piece of gum could mean so much? Talk about the little things making a difference. That one piece of gum didn’t just leave me with something sweet to chew on, but memories of how a simple act of kindness can mean the world.
Sue Schaffler
5:31 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
What a loss to our community! My two older children had the privelege of his services and it saddens me that my youngest will not cross with "Mr. G".....she had heard about is generosity wih bubble gum! What a special man...prayers to is family
Dena Leishman
9:09 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
We have only lived in Wheaton 2 years and feel blessed to have known Mr. G. What a kind and generous man. We will forever refer to Fridays as "Bubble Gum Fridays". We will miss him and our prayers go out to his family.
Major Tom
9:25 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
good man who watched the kids beyond belief
Kristin Brennan
3:43 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
We are saddened to hear of your sudden loss. We will remember him as a very proud grandpa.