Obituary for Barry Gianunzio
Kingsport, Tenn. – Barry Gianunzio, 77, of Kingsport, Tenn., longtime resident of Iron Mountain, Mich., passed away at his home on March 6, 2019, with family by his side after a long battle with cancer.
He was born and raised in Iron Mountain, Mich., and went on to join the Navy. After leaving the service, Barry spent many years in the car sales business both as an owner of dealerships and as a used car manager. He moved to the Tri-Cities area 20 years ago as he looked for someplace a bit warmer than his childhood home in Michigan or Appleton, Wis. where he also spent much of his life.
Barry loved to entertain and cook, so most memories his family and friends have are of the feasts he would put together on warm summer afternoons to entertain friends or the wonderful holiday meals he’d enjoy making to celebrate with his family. No matter the get-together, his big personality ensured great fun and laughter.
Besides his love of food, Barry loved riding his motorcycle. Having owned a number of them over a 40 year period, he spent many hours riding the roads with his wife enjoying the beauty of the country and the freedom he felt on his bike.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Louisa (Montpas); two daughters, Denise (Ken) Nieland, and Christina (Douglas) Peterson-Gianunzio; four grandchildren, Alayna (Brian) Colombino, Taylor (Blake) Evenson, Mason and Neven Peterson-Gianunzio; three great-grandchildren, Isabel and Paul Colombino and Maddox Evenson; as well as a brother, Warren (Rose) Gianunzio and cousins Pat Heisenfeldt and John (Sandra) Massicotte; and many nieces and nephews.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Cecile Gianunzio; son, Paul; and daughter, Lisa.
Visitation will be Friday, May 17, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. A Memorial Service will take place Friday, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Deacon Don Christy will officiate. Burial will take place in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain, Mich.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire staff of Amedisys Hospice, especially Denise, Becky Chelsea, and Tiffany, and Restore Life USA for granting his wish to die with grace, dignity, peace and a laugh.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Barry’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Barry’s legacy of life.
He was born and raised in Iron Mountain, Mich., and went on to join the Navy. After leaving the service, Barry spent many years in the car sales business both as an owner of dealerships and as a used car manager. He moved to the Tri-Cities area 20 years ago as he looked for someplace a bit warmer than his childhood home in Michigan or Appleton, Wis. where he also spent much of his life.
Barry loved to entertain and cook, so most memories his family and friends have are of the feasts he would put together on warm summer afternoons to entertain friends or the wonderful holiday meals he’d enjoy making to celebrate with his family. No matter the get-together, his big personality ensured great fun and laughter.
Besides his love of food, Barry loved riding his motorcycle. Having owned a number of them over a 40 year period, he spent many hours riding the roads with his wife enjoying the beauty of the country and the freedom he felt on his bike.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Louisa (Montpas); two daughters, Denise (Ken) Nieland, and Christina (Douglas) Peterson-Gianunzio; four grandchildren, Alayna (Brian) Colombino, Taylor (Blake) Evenson, Mason and Neven Peterson-Gianunzio; three great-grandchildren, Isabel and Paul Colombino and Maddox Evenson; as well as a brother, Warren (Rose) Gianunzio and cousins Pat Heisenfeldt and John (Sandra) Massicotte; and many nieces and nephews.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Cecile Gianunzio; son, Paul; and daughter, Lisa.
Visitation will be Friday, May 17, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. A Memorial Service will take place Friday, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Deacon Don Christy will officiate. Burial will take place in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain, Mich.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire staff of Amedisys Hospice, especially Denise, Becky Chelsea, and Tiffany, and Restore Life USA for granting his wish to die with grace, dignity, peace and a laugh.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Barry’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Barry’s legacy of life.