Giovanni Scianna

April 1, 1936 – August 14, 2026

Giovanni Scianna, born April 1, 1936, in Lercara Friddi, Sicily, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family. He leaves behind a legacy defined by strength, hard work, perseverance, generosity, and an unwavering devotion to family.

Giovanni was the epitome of strength and the personification of the American Dream. He came to this country without a formal education and nothing in his pocket, but through extraordinary hard work, determination, and devotion, he built a life in which his family could thrive. His story was a testament to the belief that with courage, perseverance, humility, and a smile, anything was possible.

He was a faithful and devoted husband to his beloved wife, Rosa Scianna nee Guercio, who preceded him in death on May 21, 2006. Together, they built a life centered on hard work, love, sacrifice, and family with their daughters, Francesca and Vincenza. He was the beloved son of the late Giuseppe Scianna & Francesca nee Ferreri.

Giovanni is survived by his wife, Elisabetta Scianna; his loving daughters, Francesca Lynch, wife of the late Michael Lynch, and Vincenza Maddex, wife of Michael Maddex; his beloved grandchildren, Michael, Marissa and John Lynch, Michael and Giulia Maddex; and his brother Giacomo (wife Rosaria née Buongiorno) and sister Carmelina Scianna (widow of husband Francesco Scaglione). He was preceded in death by his brother Salvatore Scianna (wife Anna nee Maniscalchi) and Nicola (wife Pina nee Alfonso) Scianna. Also survived by Sister-in-law, Angela Passalacqua nee Guercio widow of late Rocco Passalacqua; Pina Guercio; and Liliana Episcopo nee Guercio and her husband Joe Episcopo. Preceded in death by his sister in law, Sara Liga nee Guercio and her husband Antonino Liga; Antonino Guercio and wife Graziella Guercio nee Scrivano; and brother in law Francesco Guercio. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Giovanni’s roots in Sicily were deeply connected to the land and to gardening, a passion he carried with him to America. With the same patience, pride, and devotion he brought to everything in life, he cultivated a garden that became a vision to behold—a beautiful reflection of his Sicilian roots and his love of the land.

Giovanni welcomed immediate and extended family and paesani with warmth, generosity, and a smile. His home was always open, and there was always a place at his table—a place where holidays were celebrated, stories were shared, and memories were made.

To those who knew him, Giovanni was more than a husband, father, grandfather, and provider. He was an example of how to live—with strength, generosity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the people you love. His greatest accomplishments were not measured by what he accumulated, but by the lives he touched and the family he brought together.

Giovanni will be deeply missed by his family, friends, paesani, and all whose lives he touched. His memory will live on in the stories shared around family tables, the traditions he created, the garden he lovingly cultivated, and, most of all, in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have loved him.

His greatest legacy was his family. And that legacy will live on forever.

Visitation will be held at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, 6901 West Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60634, US, on August 20, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Final Viewing Prayers will take place at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, 6901 West Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60634, US, on August 21, 2026, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Eugene Catholic Church, 7958 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60656, US, on August 21, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Committal & Entombment will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery, 3800 N Narragansett Ave, Chicago, IL 60634, US, on August 21, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.