Giancarlo Piano

Giancarlo Piano, MD FSVS FACS, 64, died October 8th, 2020 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Piano was surrounded by his wife and two sons at the time of his death after a brave fight against COVID-19. We lost a one-of-a-kind human, a best friend, confidant, proud father, outstanding son, and brother-in-law. He was a compassionate, caring, and skilled Vascular Surgeon who impacted the life of many people.

Giancarlo was born September 15th, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Carlo and Manuela (Mary) Piano. His father immigrated to the United States from Naples, Italy in the 1950’s and together, Mary and Carlo raised Giancarlo in the Bridgeport neighborhood.

Giancarlo graduated from Saint Ignatius College Prep in 1974, a Jesuit Catholic High School whereby he made many life-long friends. He graduated from University of Notre Dame in 1978, earning a BS in Biology. He received his Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 1981 from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Over the course of his long career he received many awards and was on surgical staff at institutions such as the University of Chicago and Mercy Medical Center. Most recently he practiced at St. Francis Health System in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, and the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society.

A true Master Surgeon, Dr. Piano saved people’s lives on daily basis, increasing the quality of life for his many patients. He was a mentor and teacher to countless surgical residents and medical students, who will always remember his burning passion, incredible work ethic and surgical skill. Above all though, his colleagues, mentors, and mentees will always remember him as a genuine, kind, honest, fun, and respectful person.

He married the love of his life, Mariann Piano, on December 4th, 1982. They raised their two sons Gian Michael and Matthew in Oak Park, Illinois surrounded by a wonderful community of friends and family. He was an incredible husband and father – the joy of his family and friends. His personality was absolutely infectious, accompanied by his great laugh and amazing smile. He loved to read and educate himself on a wide variety of interesting topics, to which he was known for then sharing with others. He was a gifted storyteller, regularly expressing emotions with his hands.

He often used a quote from the movie Gladiator – “what we do in life, echoes into eternity” – this is a true testament to the way he lived his life. We will love him forever and miss him forever. He was a man of faith, hope and love and he will live on forever in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Giancarlo is survived by his wife Mariann Piano, his two sons Gian Michael Piano and Matthew Piano. He leaves behind two beloved future daughter-in-law’s Molly and Giulia, brother-in-law Walter and RoAnne Rebenson, mother-in-law Irene Rebenson and several cousins on his mother’s side in the Cutrara Family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Dr. Giancarlo Piano to the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Endowed Scholarship Fund in recognition of the many dedicated nurses that cared for him. Online link to donate: http://vu.edu/givenursing. Under “special instructions,” please include “In honor of Dr. Giancarlo Piano.

Due to COVID-19 requirements, a private and closed memorial/mass service will be held at Christ the King church: 3001 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212 on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 10:00am central time.

Please visit the link below to view the live-stream.

https://www.5sideproductions.com/funeral-of-giancarlo-piano