Giorgio Maurice Shaunette

Giorgio Maurice Shaunette died peacefully at his home in Lake Oswego, OR on Wednesday, January 5 at the age of 71. The exact cause of death is unknown, but was likely related to complications from a ruptured aorta he suffered in December 2021. He was in remission from cancer and all who encountered him during his illness were impressed with his strength and tenacity.

Giorgio lived an extraordinary life. Born in Italy to an Italian mother and an American father, Giorgio immigrated to the United States at the age of 11, joining his father Maurice, stepmother Gloria, and siblings Mario and Gina in Chicago. Giorgio served in the U.S. Marine Corps and became a skilled woodworker. In 1988, Giorgio, his then-wife Joan, and their daughter Amy moved to Portland, Oregon. After his divorce, Giorgio settled in the Mountain Park neighborhood of Lake Oswego. A master carpenter, Giorgio enjoyed a long career in construction as a business owner and eventually earned an associate’s degree in computer technology from Heald College, making a career pivot into technology consulting. Outside of work, Giorgio dedicated significant time to his many hobbies: rock climbing, motorcycle touring, bicycling, running, hiking, camping, mountaineering, paddling, ice climbing, and skiing. He volunteered with many organizations, including the Travel Portland Visitor Information Center and Portland Fit. He enjoyed live music, good food, shooting pool, outdoor recreation, and spending time with his friends and family, whom he loved fiercely.

Giorgio is survived by his daughter Amy Shaunette, ex-wife Joan Sotomayor, brother Mario Shaunette and sister-in-law Gail Mautner, sister Gina Shaunette and brother-in-law Ed Bean, niece Geneva, and nephew Mo. He is preceded in death by his father Maurice Shaunette, his mother Francesca Mariotti, and his stepmother, Gloria Shaunette.

Giorgio requested no formal service or memorial be held in his honor. Instead, he hopes his family and friends can share meals and celebrate the good times. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Giorgio, please donate to either The National Park Foundation (https://www.nationalparks.org) in honor of Giorgio’s love of visiting National Parks, or to The Pixie Project (https://www.pixieproject.org), a Portland-based animal rescue organization, in acknowledgement of his appreciation for animal companionship.