In Memory

Tony Gualandri

Tony, father, grandfather and beloved member of the class, passed away Nov. 17, 2020, of complications from Covid-19. He and Barbara lived in Lincolnshire.

Retired after many years at Ravinia Plumbing, he became the caddy master at Lake Shore Country Club in Highland Park. “It keeps me out of the house,” he joked at one of our reunions.

“He was a wonderful man,” said Julie Rubel Deutsch, “a dear, dear friend. We communicated often. They loved him at Lake Shore.”

John Scornavacco added: “I knew Tony best as his teammate on the HPHS basketball team. He was the same mold of players as Charles Barkley. Big body but could do everything a good player has that makes the team better. He was a good shooter, tough rebounder, but most importantly a terrific teammate. Unselfish and a great sense of humor. Tony was a kind soul and mature for his age. It’s been a time since high school, but I remember Tony and it puts a smile on my face.”

At Lake Shore he was admired as a mentor to young caddies. “What a great first boss to have!” wrote one friend on Tony’s memorial page. “He shaped my life by teaching me the importance of work ethic. Favoritism definitely did exist in Tony's caddie house but he rewarded the guys and girls who showed up early, stayed late, did not take many days off, and did not complain. What valuable lessons to learn when you are twelve years old! I am indebted to Tony for teaching me so many life skills and will miss our conversations that I enjoyed when I was fortunate to run in to Tony back at Lake Shore.”

 Another longtime friend wrote on the memorial page: “Spent many delightful early mornings with Tony after he shed the burden of Caddy Master and would carry clubs like in years past. I would play nine holes before work many weekday mornings and for an hour and a half we would walk down the fairways and talk. Tony was a grand talker and knew way more than myself about the old history of the country club as I was only there for a couple of decades. He carried bags for some famous golfers, and became a particular fan of Luke Donald, a one-time number one on the PGA Tour. As anyone who knew Tony, after a while his stories would become part of your own life. Tony was very proud of his wife and daughter and would talk with much warmth about them. Loved taking his nephew out fishing.”

Tony’s death notice follows:

Antone “Tony” Gualandri, 79, of Lincolnshire, IL, formerly of Highland Park/Highwood, passed away on November 17, 2020 from complications due to Covid-19. Beloved husband of Barbara nee Brotman; loving father of Audrey (Joe Pellam); dear brother of Susan (Fred) Fiocchi and the late Fred (Mary) Gualandri; fond uncle to Dino (Teresa), the late Jill, and Gina (Russell); adored great uncle to Natale, Henry, and Rocco and cherished grandfather to his precious Harley. Employed by Ravinia Plumbing and Lake Shore Country Club for many years. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Associations National Headquarters 225 N. Michigan Ave, Floor 17 Chicago, Illinois 60601. For information, please contact Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at 847-831-4260.

 



 
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12/04/20 08:04 AM #1    

Karen Cheli (Sullivan)

I was so saddened to hear about Tony.  We went all the way through school together...9 years (including kindergarten) at Oak Terrace and 4 years at HPHS.  We grew up in the same town (Highwood) for all those years, had the same friends, our parents were friends, etc.  Although I had not seen Tony in recent years, I had heard many wonderful things about him through a friend of mine who knows his sister well.  My heartfelt sympathy to Tony's family.  RIP, Tony...you were a really good man and have left a wonderful legacy!

Karen Cheli Sullivan


12/04/20 11:13 AM #2    

Richard ALBIN, M. D.

My condolences to Tony's family.  I had not seen Tony since HPHS but have some very vivid, funny and enjoyable memories of working with him at Lake Shore Country Club when we were both caddies there.  Most of the members were nice to the caddies and would typically give us a $1 tip on top of the $3.50 for 18 holes.  The caddies were not allowed to go down into the ravines to look for a member's golf ball but one member would routinely order his caddy to do that and most of us were too afraid to say no.  One day I was caddying in his foursome and Tony was carrying his bag and was ordered to go find his errant ball and Tony surprisingly said yes sir and immediately went over the edge of the ravine still carrying the members bag.  He disappeared from view and soon we could hear yelling and a lot of noise consistent with falling and breaking tree limbs then silence.  Tony finally climbed back up and was smeared with dirt and no longer had the golfer's bag and clubs and of course had not found the golf ball.  The member suspected Tony had purposely gotten rid of his clubs and bag but of course coud not lodge a complaint and Tony carefully did  not openly acknowledge his actions to us but we all viewed him as our hero after this event.  I am quite sure he was a superb caddy master having come up through the ranks himself.  Rest in peace.  Rick Albin

 

 

 


12/04/20 11:21 AM #3    

Gene ALTMAN, M. D.

I was saddened to hear of Tony's passing. I'll second John Scornovocco's praise of Toni's basketball and sportsmanship skills. I vividly remember Toni's pattern as a sophomore on the varsity BB team, coming in off the bench, often when we were behind, and lighting up the scoreboard with his impossibly long one-handed set-shot. He'd hit two or three in a row. – and the effect was electric on the crowd and on his teammates who, re-energized, would elevate their game to their very best. Tony was never shy about voicing his opinions, but he never set himself above anybody else. Humble and kind, Tony was an inspirational figure.


12/05/20 10:45 AM #4    

Beach Aten

Very sorry to hear this.  Tony was also a teammate of mine on the baseball team.  He was our first baseman, and a good power hitter.  Also a good fielder, but the one thing he couldn't do was run.  Don Davis used to call him Gualandri the gazelle.  He was a great guy.

Beach


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