Douglas J. Giaudrone Jr.

Douglas J. Giaudrone, Jr., age 61, of Kankakee, IL, passed away suddenly on January 29, 2025, surrounded by his family. 

Doug grew up in Crest Hill, IL, and resided in the Joliet and Plainfield areas for most of his life. He graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1981 and from Bradley University in 1986. Doug spent the majority of his professional career working for the US Department of Energy and Konica Minolta. He was most recently employed with the Canon Corporation, where he worked as a Technology Operations Specialist. 

Doug was active in many organizations including the Joliet Catholic Academy (JCA) Alumni Board (where he served from 2005 to 2015, including acting as president from 2009-2010). After his son Andrew’s sudden passing at the age of 20 due to an undetected heart condition, he became involved with the Young Hearts for Life foundation. Young Hearts for Life has made it their mission to offer free ECGs to students to detect conditions which may cause Sudden Cardiac Death. Doug was especially proud of his involvement with this organization. Doug also participated for several years in helping organize the annual “Remembering G” fundraiser, an event used to raise money toward a scholarship fund in Andrew’s name for incoming JCA freshmen. 

Doug’s family and friends were everything to him. He loved coaching his sons’ baseball teams throughout the years, working outside in the yard, chatting with the neighbors on his frequent walks, and making friends wherever he went. He also loved traveling and spending time at the lake house with his beloved Donna.

Doug is survived by his two sons, Adam and Eric Giaudrone; his mother, Nora (nee McGary) Giaudrone; his girlfriend, Donna Ryan; his brother, Dwayne Giaudrone; and his uncle, Don McGary. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his cherished son, Andrew Giaudrone; his father, Douglas J. Giaudrone, Sr.; his uncle, Earl “Muggs” McGary, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Kathy (nee Tekel) Giaudrone. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Young Hearts for Life foundation and/or toward JCA student scholarships.

A celebration of Doug’s life will begin on Thursday, February 6, 2025 with a visitation at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family invites relatives and friends to gather back at the funeral home on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service to be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery in Crest Hill.