John O. Pini, 91, formerly of Batavia, Illinois & Lake Geneva, Wisconsin passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at the Rosewood Care Center in Elgin.
He was born November 1, 1922 in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Oreste and Rose (Crews) Pini. He married his grade school sweetheart, Jacquelyn Wyllie on September 27, 1944 in Batavia, while on leave from the United States Navy. John was a decorated Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he served as a pilot aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill when it was attacked off Okinawa and was in the Naval Reserves for 17 years following the war. John and Jacquelyn raised their family in Batavia and he served on the Batavia Fire Department in the mid 1950’s. He retired as a realtor in 2007 in Lake Geneva where they had lived for 36 years. He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing, especially in Batavia on Nelson Lake.
He is survived by his daughter, Ruthanne (Don) Eliasek of Huntley and sons, Gary Pini of Brooklyn, New York, Scott (Diane) Pini of Yorkville, Illinois, nine grandchildren; Kelli (Dean) Sabel, Collette Meredith, Jeff (Kimmie) Pini, Kyle, Steven and Jaclyn Pini, Lisa, Renee and Irv (Emily) Rotter, fourteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jacquelyn and his son, David Pini in 2013, his brother, James Pini and his sisters, Hazel Land and Mabel Bowron.
A private family memorial service will be held. The DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service of Huntley is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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My heart breaks for those of us left behind, but I know John is with Jacki, his soul mate in life and forever after. Xoxo
He was such a sweet man. I feel peace knowing he's now with his beloved Jackie.
Ruthanne, God gifted your Dad with 91 long years. Over those 91 years, countless lives were forever changed by his loving, kind and gentle heart. I believe at the end, he must have longed for rest & peace. I can only imagine how stressful his death has been for you and your family as you try to envision life without him. His death brings sadness, but it's very comforting to know that he is now with your mother.