Gary Robert Flammini, 73, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on the 20th of May, 2024, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with illness.

Gary was born on April 18th, 1951, to Fern & Oswald Flammini (preceded in death) in Springfield, Illinois. Throughout high school, he was an accomplished athlete, competing in basketball, track and field, football, and baseball. After Gary graduated from Springfield Southeast High School in 1969, he went on to serve in the United States Army from 1970-1980 as a Staff Sergeant.

In 1974, his daughter Tara Flammini was born. In 1980, his son Shane Flammini was born.

In 1993, Gary met Lisa Flammini at Green Car Dealership on Dirksen Parkway. He sold her a brand new Szuzuki Sidekick. They were married on May 21, 1994 and they went on to have Gianna Flammini in 2001.

Throughout the years, Gary was a jack-of-all-trades, selling insurance and cars, and delivering car parts, but ultimately retiring from SIU School of Medicine as a Building Operations Engineer. Though he did several things in his life, many would say he was most proud to be a father, sport supporter, dog lover, and friend; he was an especially big fan of the NY Yankees. Gary loved watching old westerns, singing Blues music, and cooking. In his family, he was famous for making authentic Italian meals and traditional tamales. Others remember him being a grill-master, specializing in steak, brats, and hot dogs. Gary loved spending time with family – especially playing Euchre with his brother-in-law, against his wife and sister-in-law (the Pigeon sisters). Most recently, he enjoyed attending Lakeside Christian Church with his wife and her parents, occasionally having a quick snooze on his father-in-law’s shoulder.

Gary was preceded in death by parents, Fern & Oswald Flammini; daughter, Amber; brother, Charles (Chuck) Flamini; and sister, Lois McQuern. He is survived by wife, Lisa Flammini; daughter, Tara Flammini; son, Shane Flammini (Anne); daughter, Gianna Flammini; grandchildren, Vanessa Nelson, Trevor Nelson, and Savannah Nelson; great-granddaughter, Isla Workman; mother & father-in-law, Judith and Adrian McCarty; sister-in-law, Mary Flamini; sister-in-law, Shari Kozar (William); nieces, Debi McKeown, Beth Ray, Tonya Douglas, Amanda Kozar, Alexandra Kozar, and Alanna Kozar; nephews, Dickie McQuern, Donnie McQuern and Dougie McQuern, and many other family members.

Gary was well-known for being an animal lover. He and his wife, Lisa, had many dogs over the years. He was preceded in death by Loser, Bosco, and Bree. He is survived by Max, Blue, Milo, Winston, Tripp, Piper, and grand-cat, Phoebe.

Services will be held at Lakeside Christian Church on May 28, 2024. A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM and a memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM. Immediately following the service, a hotdog buffet will be provided for all to enjoy one last hotdog in honor of Gary.

The family would like to extend a tremendous and heartfelt THANK YOU to Memorial Palliative Care, Advanced Healthcare Services, and Hands of God Hospice, all of Springfield, Illinois. The care you all provided was truly spectacular.

Central Cremation Center in Forsyth, Illinois has been entrusted with arrangements.