John Gardi

Originally from Sopron, Hungary, the family of seven immigrated to the United States in 1956 to escape communism and offer a better life for their family. They were part of the Hungarian refugees of 1956 where hundreds of thousands fled Hungary.

The Gardi family settled in Chicago, Illinois. John attended Tuley High School and then went to the Tool & Die Institute. He completed his Apprenticeship degree while working. During this time he became a member of the Army reserves as well as meeting Ildiko. In 1970, John and Ildiko married and went on to have two children – Ildiko and Kristina.

After many years in the engineering field he decided to acquire a company, Aaron Tool. In 1979, John and Ildiko moved their family to Sarasota, Florida where they found their permanent home.

John's hobbies included bowling, coin collecting, cruising, playing the Lottery and playing cards. Traveling was a passion and he had so much love and patriotism for his mother country, Hungary. As often as he could, he would travel home to Hungary enjoying the food, spending time with friends and exploring the countryside. He loved a good party, singing, dancing and ringing the bell for all to gather around and toast with a drink of Pálinka. He had a big heart and a laugh that would fill the entire room.

John's biggest hobby of all was Dolphin Electreel and Aaron Tool, which he called "The Shop". Over the years the company grew. “The Shop” was his haven; a place of pride though more importantly “The Shop” was his extended family.

When he wasn't working or enjoying his hobbies, he was spending time with family. We remember that he was a devoted father, grandfather, partner and employer who loved his family and friends dearly.

He is survived by his two daughters: Kristina (Timothy) Coffing and their children Andrew and Isabel and Ildiko (Csaba Kereszturi, his son Luca) Vincent and her children Michael and Ildiko S. and her fiance Alex Newsome; his four siblings, Maria (Imre) Mohai, Katherine Mischak, Judy Novaky (Robert Diamant), Les (Debi) Gardi and many nieces and nephews; his partner, Livia Borsos and her son Zsolt (Tunde) Szekely and their children, Vivian and Zara; his ex-wife, Ildiko Gardi, wife of thirty-seven years and mother of his two children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Maria Gardi.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 10:00 am at Incarnation Catholic Church, 2911 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, Florida 34239, followed by a reception at the Church Hall, located next to the church. If you are unable to attend in person, the mass will be livestreamed; go to: https://incarnationchurch.org

A memorial and celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 11:00am at The Hungarian Club (Hungarian Christian Society), 165 N Jackson Rd, Venice, Florida, 34292.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be donated in memory of John Gardi to promote the continuing education of tool and die engineering for students attending local technical colleges. Donations may be sent to Ildiko Vincent, 5716 Doral Court, Sarasota, FL 34238.