Terry (Terrence S.) Lunardi, 56, passed away unexpectedly Aug. 4, 2009, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, Davenport.
Terry was born in Davenport on Aug. 13, 1952, the son of Ardo E. and Claire Schroeder Lunardi. Terry was a proud product of the Davenport Public School System. He put himself through Palmer Junior College and St. Ambrose College by working for the Sieg Automotive Company. Terry graduated from St. Ambrose in 1975, with a degree in business.
He proudly owned and operated Lunardi's Italian Restaurant for 20 years, opening in June 1989. Terry was also a partner in SA Merchandise Store, a sports memorabilia business with 43 locations in 15 states. One outlet, The Black and Gold Shop, is located near his Davenport restaurant.
Terry credited his parents for instilling in him a strong work ethic and teaching him the importance of giving time and resources to those coming behind so they would have the same opportunities he enjoyed. The Quad-Cities community has been the rich beneficiary of these teachings. Terry Lunardi's commitment to community service was life-long. He has been described as "the constant" on those boards and organizations he served, always present and always ready to contribute. If a complex issue needed to be raised or an initiative needed a compassionate spokesperson, Terry was the first to be asked. He served and supported organizations that he felt were essential to the community, including, among others, DavenportOne Board of Directors and Small Business Council, chair, Scott County YMCA Board of Directors, Riverboat Development Authority Board of Directors and Treasurer, Handicapped Development Center Board of Directors, and the Davenport Rotary.
Terry Lunardi never sought the limelight. In fact, he made hundreds of contributions quietly and without recognition, as he preferred. Among the awards that came his way during his lifetime were U.S. Small Business Association's "2004 Family-Owned Small Business Champion of the Year" for Iowa, 2003 Volunteer of the Year for DavenportOne, U.S. Department of Education Business Partner of the Year, and Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow.
An enthusiastic cheerleader for Davenport and for young people, in particular, Terry also was at the helm of such projects as Garfield Elementary School Business Partnership, where he was also the visionary in starting the KLJG radio station at the school, a radio station that is student operated; Davenport Schools Superintendent Team; Junior Achievement; Red, White & Boom! July 4th Fireworks Celebration; St. Ambrose University WineFest Scholarship Committee; QC Kite Festival; Niabi Zoo Kids Day; Kids to the Pumpkin Patch.
Terry often offered his personal quote, "Always strive to do it right the first time. You may not get a second chance." With that in mind, Terry lived life to the fullest and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Whether it was riding his Harley, chatting with customers at his restaurant, quoting lines from movies and famous characters or telling his joke-of-the-week, Terry loved to laugh and to be around friends. He leaves us a legacy of laughter, warmth and wonderful memories.
Terry Lunardi is survived by brothers and sisters-in law, Tom Lunardi, Davenport, Rick and Cheryl Lunardi, Eldridge, and Bruce and Marlene Lunardi, Bettendorf; nephews and nieces, Paul and Brooke Lunardi, Davenport, Sydney, Synclaire and Max Lunardi, all of Bettendorf; great-nieces and -nephews, Allison, Jake and Ashlyn Lunardi and Tyler Pence; and his cousins from Dubuque, Iowa, David (Donna), Dennis and Jackie (Tom) and Patricia, Davenport; and many, many close friends. All will miss him deeply.
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