Jeff Giardina was the kind of guy who never put anything off until tomorrow.
And so, this week he insisted on taking a mini-vacation in the Poconos with his wife and their young sons, even though he was fading fast from an aggressive form of cancer.
Around lunchtime on Wednesday, while Christian, 8, and Justin, 6, were frolicking in the pool under the watchful gaze of their mom, Lori Ann Giardina, a feeling gripped her.
“All of a sudden, I got this sadness. I had to go see Jeff,” said Lori Ann, who is beloved by many as the owner of Morristown’s South Street Creamery.
All morning she had been checking in periodically on her husband, sleeping peacefully back at the vacation lodge; she had left some breakfast for him, with a note to call her mobile phone when he awakened.
But when she arrived this time, she found that Jeff had passed away. His brave battle with ocular melanoma, a 21-month ordeal that rallied the Greater Morristown community behind the family, was over.
He was 46.
Lori Ann had held out hope that Jeff would last until December, when a clinical trial of a new treatment for this virulent cancer is scheduled to start. But the disease spread too fast. It sapped Jeff’s strength– but never his spirit, Lori Ann said.
“We did everything we wanted to do. It was such an aggressive cancer the last few months; it took all his strength. But Jeff never complained. He always believed he was going to get better. This was just the hard part, and he was going to get through it,” Lori Ann said.
Longtime employees at the Creamery — where a “Cones for Cancer” day last December kicked off several local events that raised $50,000 for research — have marveled at how Lori Ann has buoyed their spirits throughout her family crisis.
Jeff made that possible, she said.
“We never talked about ‘what if?’ He was fighting, and I was fighting harder to get him what he needed. So were the kids, so was all of the community. That’s a big reason he was able to fight so long. He was so stoic, so strong. He made it easy to live with, even though this was not so easy.
“His life was a gift, and I’m a better person for that, for loving him,” Lori Ann said. “It was the best thing in my life to have him and the children.”
A celebration of Jeff’s life is planned for Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, from 3 pm to 6 pm at the Doyle Funeral Home in Morristown.
‘LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT’
They met in 1999 at … where else? The Creamery, where Lori Ann was working 80-hour weeks.
Jeff’s sister brought him to her favorite ice cream shop, and pointed out “the happiest girl you’ll ever meet.”
Lori Ann says it was love at first sight. But Jeff needed three months of shop visits and many Kahlua Madness cones to work up the nerve to ask her out. They were married in 2002.
Jeff’s family was his life, Lori Ann said.
“His favorite thing was just being together, just sitting in the backyard, watching the kids play,” she said.
At family picnics, she said, he always was the guy tossing a ball with the young ones — when he wasn’t at the grill.
“He was the type of cook who would think, ‘this might taste good,’ and he knew how to season it just right,” Lori Ann said. Her husband worked fast and clean in the kitchen. He prepared dinner for last Thanksgiving and Christmas, despite his worsening health.
Slideshow photos courtesy of Lori Ann Giardina
Raised in Glen Cove, L.I. , Jeff was a good athlete, playing baseball and soccer. At 14, he started working in a deli. He put himself through Hoffstra University, studying business management.
He became an operations manager for the pharma company Actavis and kept working until March, when chemotherapy, travel to doctors in Philadelphia and New York, and his illness became too much.
“I never met anybody who had the work ethic Jeff did. He wasn’t satisfied until the job was done right,” said Lori Ann.
Jeff still was driving until about two months ago. His last drive was to watch the boys on a swim team at a local pool, Lori Ann said.
The trip to their favorite Poconos lodge was a birthday gift from Lori Ann’s parents back in May. Lori Ann and Jeff figured it was time for a family getaway.
Lori Ann said they had no regrets.
“We said ‘I love you’ every day. We held hands every day. Every day we kissed our kids and told them we loved them,” Lori Ann said.
She told the boys that their father always will be with them, making them strong.
“He taught me how to be strong. And we’re going to live our lives with even more strength going from this day forward. He inspired us to be better people.”
That’s an enviable legacy.
“There are a lot of beautiful love stories” Lori Ann said. “And mine is my favorite.”
Jeffrey Giardina is survived by his loving wife, Lori Ann and their sons, Christian and Justin; by his mother, Victoria Grella; by siblings Jennifer Giardina, Keri Skrapits and Michael Giardina; by his grandmother, Amy Pometti; and by his in-laws, Ken and Arlene Garcia.
In lieu of flowers, Lori Ann asks that donations in Jeff’s memory be made to Uveal Melanoma Research. Donations can be made online, or by mail, to: The Jefferson Office of Institutional Advancement, Attn: Dr. Sato Challenge, 125 S. 9th St., Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
MORE ABOUT LORI ANN, JEFF, AND A COMMUNITY’S LOVE
Morris Brick & Stone extends our deepest condolences to you, your sons and your family.
We are sorry for you loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time.
Dear Lori and boys: I don’t know if you knew my last name but I worked at SeeClear where Christian was getting vision therapy. We didn’t know each other well but we spoke of your family’s fight, and Jeff’s struggle. I always admired your strength and how special your boys were. Lori may God continue to bless you and the boys as well as Jeff’s soul. Your family is certainly special. Fondly, Donna
Our hearts go out to you & the boys Lori & Jeff will remain in our heart. It seems like only yesterday you were telling us about the “amazing guy” you had just started dating… Jeff was a gift from God & you were his gift from God…… & the boys are your gift to the world! I wish I could offer the words of comfort to ease your pain & take it away, but I know I cannot. I wish I could give you the warmth & comfort you gave to EVERY SINGLE PERSON that crossed your path – that beautiful beaming smile you selflessly shared with everyone. In my 53 years I have never once met anyone so genuinely warm & caring……capable of bringing joy to all…… I know it had to be that same warmth & joy that attracted Jeff to you (the Kaluha Madness was simply a bonus). He made this world a better place being your soulmate & husband……hands down – the Most Successful Man I have ever known….. He was the wisest of men……. Mrs. Giardina. David & I are showering you with love & peace….
To hear of such sad new just to add: A great person is missed on earth. My deepest condolences.
I worked at Actavis “2001-2004” in the QA/Mfg Team. Yes, he was a man of great work ethics, as he committed to the assignment, his group, and shared wonderful thoughts of his family in a very grateful matter. Lori God bless you and the children and all the family remember you all are well guarded by the Angel of “family”
Dear Lori,
Unfortunately, I never got to know Jeff other than through Morristown Green’s touching tribute. I can only imagine what joy and happiness you brought him from the moment you met. My deepest sympathy to you and your wonderful family.
Lori I love you and admire your beauty and strength. My condolences to your entire family.
He was blessed with you as his loving , caring
Wife . Love and faith will keep you strong. Love, Wini
Thank you for your beautiful messages, your well wishes and words of support for our family. It has been a blessing to know how many lives my wonderful husband has touched and it warms my heart to know our sons and I are in your hearts and prayers.
Lori Ann,
I was so sad to hear this news. Thinking of you, your boys
and your entire family. I hope the outpouring of love and support from the Community is at least some consolation during this difficult time. Sending lots of love to you from the Stein-Collins family.
Jill, Jon, Eden and Anabel
The Presbyterian Church Nursery School extends love and deepest condolences to our special friend, Lori Ann, and to her family. This wonderful article is a tribute to their courage.
Our hearts go out to you, and your family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you may you have the strength to get through these difficult times. Remember all of us at Suzi’s care very much for you and your children. Jeff will be sorely missed and he will be an angel watching over you and the boys.
Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
My husband Rob and I both worked with Jeff at Actavis and also have many fun memories with him and “the gang”. I think my fondest memory will always be when he would bring in the delicious ice cream and share with all of us. We were all literally like kids in an Ice Cream Shop! Thanks for that Jeff!
We send our deepest condolences to you LoriAnn, your boys, and your family. It is another loss to the Actavis Family and his kindness will always be remembered.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your(Lori Ann) family during this difficult time.” God Bless you !
Tapas and Family
Allergan /Actavis (Elizabeth NJ)
It was an honor to help care for Jeff and his wonderful wife. I was always amazed by their wonderful optimism. we could all learn from them. God Bless you Jeff.
For the past 4 ½ years I have had the pleasure to work with Jeff. Jeff always had an open door to his office and his heart. We would sit and chat in his office and as I would ask how are you doing and is there anything you need or I could do, Jeff would smile and say we are okay thank you for asking. He would then proceed to ask about my family knowing some of the challenges we have been facing. We shared an unfortunate common bond and Jeff was always more concerned about others than himself. Jeff’s heart and determination to overcome this illness was just amazing. It saddens my heart to hear of his passing. My condolences to family and friends. He shall be missed.
My husband Mike and I had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff while we were in our early 20’s. We are friends of Kim and Danny Grennan and spent lots of visits having fun in the house Jeff and Danny shared on Crow Lane. Jeff was such a stand up guy who was always there for Danny. A true friend and a gem!
Our lives are richer to have known Jeff! Our condolences!
Mike and Kristi Zabadal
RIP Jeff…for sure it was a pleasure knowing him and working with him….
Very sad that Jeff is no longer with us!!! Still remember fun times with Jeff and rest of Actavis Folks down the shore!!!
LoriAnn, Christian and Justin now have an angel watching over them!!!
My deepest condolences to the family.
Without a doubt Lori Ann has always been one of the kindest and nicest people you will ever encounter. From our family to yours you have our deepest condolences, love and sympathy.
The Alai’s
My wife, Mari and I have worked with Jeff many years and words fail us at how sad this news has made us. We were so impressed by Jeff’s strength and spirit as he fought this truly heroic battle against a relentless enemy and our hopes and prayers were with him. To his family, wife Lori Ann, Christian and Justin, we are so sorry for your loss but your love and support gave him his best chance and I am sure he loved every second you were there.
R.I.P. boss, friend
Deepest sympathy to Lori Ann and all her family. Vicky and Ken Willson
Deepest sympathy for the entire family, from a very old friend of the Giardina family. Take courage.
God took a Great Man,
I remember “GELATO MAN” very well.
I also remember when he told me he was getting married and bought his new home.
We got along well, they all called me “The Hump” over there at Alpharma !!!
My deepest condolences to the family,
R.I.P. Gelato Man, say Hello to my Dad for me heh.
All of us at iron bar offer our deepest sympathy.