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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Robert Gene Gardi Sr., 60, of Fort Lauderdale, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Broward Medical in Fort Lauderdale.
He was born June 25, 1962, in Fairmont, W.Va., a son of Mary Lou Gardi and Joseph Gardi.
Robert attended Warren Western Reserve High School and graduated in 1980.
On May 5, 1984, he married Virginia Rivera in Youngstown, Ohio. They were together for 38 years.
He worked at Turney's Hardware when he was younger, moving on to Kmart Distribution for 23 years, and was one of a very few to rally for other workers' rights and bring in the UAW.
Robert tremendously enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, cooking and smoking meats, going to concerts, gardening, hunting and fishing. He was a practicing Catholic and had a strong spiritual relationship with Christ. He studied martial arts, loved to go camping, swimming and basking in the sun, all while listening to finely curated tunes.
He is survived by his father, Joseph Gardi of Aurora, Ohio; wife, Virginia Gardi of Fort Lauderdale; children, Robert G. Gardi Jr. (Kerri R.) of Youngstown and Natalie Gardi of Fort Lauderdale; brothers, Franklin (Shobha) Gardi of Olathe, Kan., and Don (Alexia) Gardi of Aurora; uncles, Tom Clayton (Betty) and Pete Clayton (Diane) of Fairmont, W.Va., and David Gardi (Linda) of England; aunt, Sarah Druzik of Mobile, Ala.; as well as eight nephews and nieces, and 12 great-nephews and great-nieces; all of whom he loved deeply.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lou Gardi; grandmother, Freda Mae (Spicer) Clayton; grandfather, Franklin Clayton; grandmother, Anastasia Mabel Gardi; grandfather, Louis Gardi; and sister, Tina Marie Gardi Booker.
"Thank you for all the love and care you've all shown our family through this unimaginable time."
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023, at SS. Mary & Joseph Catholic Church, Warren, Ohio.
(special notice)