Obituary for Reno James Maccardini Reno James Maccardini, 93, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan after 91 wonderful, fulfilling years and 2 years of illness punctuated with blessed respites and joyful, memorable times. The days prior to his passing were filled with the visits of dear friends and relatives, and precious time with his son, Douglas Maccardini; daughter-in-law, Deborah Gelinas; and beloved wife of 43 years, Rebecca Maccardini. He was born on May 30, 1925, the youngest of three children, to Peter and Andretta Maccardini.
Reno grew up during the depression in Bessemer, Michigan, located in iron ore mining country in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduating high school at age 16, and hitch hiking to the Detroit area to make his way in the world. He landed a job on the Chrysler automotive line, attended Chrysler Institute of Engineering, and then transferred to Michigan State University, where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in mechanical engineering. The day after graduation, he went to work for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, where during his 38-year career he made many life-long friends, advanced through various district positions where he invariably took an active community role, culminating as a director, in Detroit.
One of his proudest contributions was to oversee the initial Mich Con restoration of the art deco lobby of the 1929 landmark Guardian Building, then the headquarters for the Company. Upon retiring, Reno assisted in new business development for a premier architectural firm, then laughingly said, “I went to work for RMRes,” his wife’s consulting firm. An avid coin and stamp collector, he also collected over a thousand antique post cards depicting buildings from around the world, many of which no longer exist.
A partial list of his active community involvements include from early in his life to post-retirement: team manager in high school for nearly all the major sports teams and was president of Catholic Youth Organization, served on many planning commissions and United Way boards as he worked in various districts throughout the State. He was active in Scouting where he served as one of the Michigan representatives to the 1970 World Fair in Osaka, Japan; Chairman of West Michigan Tourist Association, Deputy Chief of Michigan Week, served on the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor Bureau, was a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit, was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Rotarian Emeritus with the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor. Reno is survived by hundreds of friends and those whose lives he touched; his wife, Rebecca Maccardini; his son, Douglas Maccardini (wife, Deborah), his children, Justin, Jamie, and Autumn Layne Maccardini; and Reno’s daughter, Mary Jane Maccardini.
He also leaves behind his sister, Dorothy Rastello and his nephew, James Rastello. Reno was preceded in death by his older brother, Eugene Maccardini but he closely embraces Gene’s family, Annette Maccardini and Andrea (Henry) Allemon, and their children and grandchildren: Tony (Teri) Alati, and children Abbie and Ella; Robert (Anne) Alati and children Brandon, Alexis, and Dylan; and Paul (Karen) Alati, and children Luke and Gianna. Additionally Reno’s family extends to his brother-in-law, Phillip Karnehm; and his children and grandchildren, Beth (Josh) Branham and children, Jackson and Lilly; and Megan (Matthew) Teisman, and their child, Ruby.
Cremation has taken place and a Mass to celebrate Reno’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 11am at Old St. Patrick Catholic Church (5671 Whitmore Lake Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105), followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of a memorial donation be made to the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation (Box 131217, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-1217) or the Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley (2805 S Industrial Highway, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104). To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Reno James Maccardini please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Funeral Mass , NOV 27. 11:00 AM Old St. Patricks Catholic Church 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd. Ann Arbor, MI, US, 48105 Order Flowers for the Funeral Mass Guaranteed delivery before Reno’s Funeral Mass begins.
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