John Gusella

Giovanni “John” Gusella passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on July 9, 2026.

Giovanni was born on June 22, 1946, in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, to the late Angelo and Maria. His hometown always held a special place in his heart, and he was incredibly proud of his Italian heritage. He had an unbelievable appetite, and family and friends were always amazed by how much he could eat, often wondering where he put it all.

Soccer wasn’t just something Giovanni enjoyed—it was part of who he was. He proudly played for Maroons Soccer Club and Lions Soccer Club and remained a devoted lifelong AC Milan fan, faithfully supporting his beloved team through every season.

Giovanni was a skilled welder by trade, but he was truly a jack of all trades—he did it all. He took great pride in his work and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Giovanni was happiest when he was making others laugh. He loved stirring up just enough trouble to get everyone smiling and had a way of making every gathering more fun. The joy and laughter he brought to others will never be forgotten.

Above all, Giovanni was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a proud Nonno. His family was his greatest joy. He carried laminated photos of his family with him wherever he went and never missed an opportunity to proudly share them with others. He celebrated every accomplishment, no matter how big or small, carefully saving newspaper articles, school papers, certificates, and anything that mentioned his children, often making multiple copies and highlighting their names. Whether cheering the loudest from the sidelines at his children’s soccer games or passionately disagreeing with a referee’s call—even if it earned him a warning—Giovanni was always their biggest fan. It was just one of the many ways he showed how deeply he loved his family.

Giovanni was the beloved husband of Oksana for 45 years; loving father of Ariana, Marco and his wife, Meghan; proud Nonno of Mila and Maxwell; and dear brother of Elda.

Although our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that Giovanni’s legacy will live on through every shared meal, every story told, and every AC Milan match watched in his honor. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Visitation for John will take place on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Friday from 10:00 am until time of funeral service at 11:00 am at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, Illinois 60706. Interment will be private.