Robert "Bob" Francis Giardina Sr.

Robert (Bob) Francis Giardina Sr, age 86, resident of the Village of Middlefield, Ohio, joined his loving wife Norma, on November 28, 2021, after a short illness.  Bob was the son of the late Pasquale and Concetta Giardina of Greenville PA.  Bob graduated in 1953 from Saint Michael’s HS in Greenville, where he was a decorated athlete for both football and basketball.  He attended St Francis College in Pennsylvania on a football/basketball scholarship, transferring in 1954 to The University of Detroit where he played football and received his Undergraduate Degree in Education.   On January 29, 1957 he married the late Norma Brown Giardina and moved to Middlefield, Ohio in 1957.  There they raised their four children Paul, Diane, Bob and Mark and resided until his death.  Moving to Ohio, Bob first taught at Berkshire Schools, then was hired at Cardinal School system as a teacher and a coach. He coached football and basketball in the Middlefield area for 11 years. He later attended Kent State University where he received his Graduate Degree in Education.  He became a Guidance Counselor in the West Geauga School systems where he was affectionately called “Mr. G.”  He work at West G until his retirement in 1997.  Bob and Norma were active in starting the St. Lucy parish, his family being one of the founding families.  Bob was inducted into the Mercer County PA Hall of Fame in 1996 for his accomplishments on both the basketball court and football field during his High School years.  Bob enjoyed to fish.  Fly fishing was his favorite.  In his later years he learned to tie his own flies.  Bob would spend many weekends with his son Mark fishing local lakes, Lake Erie, or taking special trips to Alabama chasing bass.  Bob loved to take his young family on camping trips across the United States to see our amazing country. Later in life he loved to go on cruises to the Caribbean and traveled to Europe many times with his family.  He would often stop and visit his cousins in Italy.  Bob loved everything with Pittsburgh sports.  He enjoyed many Super Bowl wins as a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and World Series championships for the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean Giardina, his parents Pasquale Giardina and Concetta Catalano Giardina, his brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Marie Giardina, his sister in law Chris Giardina and his daughter-in-law Laura Giardina.  He is survived by his four children, Paul (Dena) Giardina of Middlefield, Diane (Mike) McGehean of North Myrtle Beach, SC, Bob Giardina of Germantown, TN, and Mark (Karen) Giardina of Novelty, Ohio.  Bob had eight grandchildren, Nick Giardina, Matthew Giardina, Mia Giardina, Samantha (McGehean) Santos, Megan (McGehean) Parrish, Michael McGehean, Rachel Giardina and Robert Giardina, and three great grandchildren Daphne Giardina, Beau Parrish and Raleigh Parrish.  Bob is also survived by his three brothers Raymond (JoAnne) Giardina, Norman Giardina and John (Bev) Giardina, and many nieces and nephews.

A public visitation will be held on Sunday, December 5th from 2-5pm at Sly Funeral Home in Middlefield.  A Catholic mass will be held on Monday, December 6th at 10:00 am at St Lucy’s Parish, 16280 Kinsman Rd, Middlefield, Ohio 44062.  Bob will be buried in a private ceremony at Middlefield Cemetery.  Lunch will follow at St Lucy’s Hall to celebrate Bob’s life.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to St Edward & St Lucy’s Parish, PO Box 709, Parkman, Ohio 44080, or Western Reserve Hospice- Euclid.

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