Frank Anthony Gilardi Jr.

Francis (Frank) Anthony Gilardi Jr., 66, of Naples, Florida, died unexpectedly on July 8th, 2024 in Huntersville, North Carolina. He was born on January 5th, 1958 to Francis (Frank) Gilardi Sr. and the late Carol (Wesbecher) Covault. Frank will be lovingly missed by his wife of 44 years, Julie (Raterman) Gilardi, daughter Jennifer (Kurt) Jung, and grandsons Theodore and Luca Jung, of Huntersville, NC. He is also survived by his sister Julie (Dan) Lemaster of Sidney, brothers Steve (Brenda) Gilardi of Mount Vernon, OH, Sam (Shelly) Gilardi of Mount Vernon, OH, Phil (Trina) Gilardi of Sidney, Marc(Colleen) Gilardi of Troy, OH, and sister in law Janet(Larry) Monnin of Sidney.

Born and raised in Sidney, Ohio, Frank was a successful entrepreneur who, along with his brother Phil Gilardi, co-founded Freshway Foods in Sidney in 1988.

Frank had served on the board of many local associations, including the Holy Angels Soup Kitchen, the American Heart Association, Lehman Catholic High School, the Lehman Catholic High School Foundation, the Sidney Airport Advisory Board, the Sidney Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, the Western Ohio Development Council, the Wilson Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, and the Athenaeum of Ohio. Frank was currently serving on the Board of Directors for The Taste of Immokalee in Naples, Florida.

For over 40 years, Frank had a passion for flying as a skilled pilot. Frank was part of Veterans Airlift Command, a national community of generous aviators who give our countrys injured combat veterans free flights for medical and compassionate purposes.

Franks adventurous spirit took him on many trips with his wife Julie. While they enjoyed cruising to destinations around the world, one of their favorite trips was the short one to South Bend, Indiana, to cheer on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Franks favorite team.

Frank placed high value on spending time with family and friends, enjoying frequent gatherings with the Gilardi family and many close friends in both Ohio and Florida. He especially loved spending time with his grandsons Theo and Luca, talking about airplanes and cars, and swimming with them in the family pool.

Frank was a lifelong member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney, where a visitation will be held on Monday, July 15th from 4-8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, July 16th at 10:30 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church, with Father James Reutter presiding. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elizabeths New Life Center in Sidney, Ohio. Envelopes will be available at Holy Angels Catholic Church during visitation.