George Gottardo

George Gottardo passed away peacefully on August 31st at the age of 87, one day before his 88th birthday, at the Citadel of Bourbonnais. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 1st, 1936, to Max Sr. and Mildred (née De Maio) Gottardo, George was a unique and memorable presence in the lives of those who knew him. A man with a lifelong passion for cars, George especially loved his red Cadillac, which brought him great enjoyment over the years. His sharp wit and undeniable charisma often made him the center of attention, even though he was known to be a bit cranky at times. One of George’s great joys in life was his regular visits to the gym, where he not only stayed active but also built lasting friendships. His gym buddies meant the world to him, and he cherished the camaraderie they shared. He also took part in early medical treatments for Myasthenia Gravis, which improved his health and helped influence future approaches to treating the disease. George was married to Jean Gottardo for 42 years, whom he considered the love of his life. He is survived by his daughter Gina and her fiancé Philip Crothers, his son George and wife Charlotte, his stepdaughter Shari Moorhouse, his nephew Ray Gottardo and wife Arlene, and his “adopted” son Todd Arseneau. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The last surviving of 10 siblings, he was preceded in death by his parents, Max Sr. and Mildred, his son Nicholas Gottardo, and his siblings: Alyce Friar, Gloria Caso, Theresa Mucha, Rose Copenhaver, Millie Watson, Rita Vinci, Frank Gottardo, Ray Gottardo, and Max Gottardo. The family would like to thank the Citadel of Bourbonnais nursing home for the wonderful care they provided to George in his final days. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation: https://myasthenia.org.