Genaro Edison Gavilanes

A best friend to all, a special uncle, a devoted brother and son, a loving husband, our dear father, Genaro, or “Choki”, as he was known to all who loved him, has gone to rest in the beauty of our Lord and Savior’s heaven. At 81 years old, he leaves behind his wife Nancy, with whom he formed an unbreakable bond that is sure to endure the ages in this world and the next. He was the epitome of hard work, positivity, and passion for family and life itself. These traits will carry through the generations and are his legacy. His children Nancy E. Boyle, Jessica J. Radecki, and Dr. Edison G. Gavilanes, all a product of a love story which began in Ecuador, spanned continents, and set the example for true love. His in-law children George (Boyle Jr), David (Radecki), and Dr. Nycholle (Gavilanes), were all accepted as his own. His grandchildren (and spouses), Ryne Boyle and Arielle Cassidy, Kaitlyn and Phillip Connolly, Michael Radecki, Madyson and Mayson Gavilanes, and his great granddaughter Riley Kait Connolly, completed the circle which brought him endless joy.

Choki was born in Machala, Ecuador, on April 17, 1937, the 3rd of 6 children born to Mercedes Izurieta and Segundo Gavilanes. He had a modest upbringing but became a world class Greco-Roman wrestler competing in the Pan American games. With much hard work and sacrifice and with the two loves of his life at his side (his wife and his mother), he immigrated to the US. Choki was a welder by trade, with an engineer’s mind to tinker. There was no project too small or too big. He worked 3 jobs most of his life to provide opportunities for his children and was generous of time and resources to his entire family. He was proud, full of life, and strong of morals with a solid and unwavering constitution.

Choki will be missed and fondly remembered for his ability to wake up every morning at 6am with a smile on his face, beaming of energy, and a voice that broke the laws of physics that carried through concrete. He will be remembered dancing with his grandchildren to a merengue with the volume at maximum, the legendary New Year’s Eve galas, the 48-hour birthday parties, the sneaking down the stairs in his pajamas to have a shot with our friends before we went out, the cars and tools, the BBQs, the friends, the ceviche, the music, the dancing, the laughter, the lessons he taught us… We will remember him.

A Celebration of Genaro’s Life ceremony will be held at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 3595 Broadway, Fort Myers, FL 33901 on October 13, 2018 at 11:30 AM.