John R. Gardner

After a protracted battle with cancer, John R. Gardner died on January 9, 2015 in Parker, CO at the age of 57. He leaves behind his wife, Donna DiStefano and his children, Ben and Andreea, all of Parker, CO, his sister Carol, of Seattle, WA and his brother, David, of Lincoln, RI, seven nieces and nephews, two grandnieces as well as countless friends. John was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, Belle and Robert Gardner, of Lincoln, RI. John was born on July 18, 1957, in Lincoln, RI. He attended public schools in Lincoln, prior to attending Providence College, where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Biology in 1979. John enthusiastically furthered his education throughout his life, earning additional bachelor degrees, in Education Studies from Rhode Island College, and Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts, Lowell as well as a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. John married Donna DiStefano, also a Providence College graduate, on July 26, 1981. John’s career, first with Textron, and later with Medrad, Baxa and Syncroness, led them to leave their Rhode Island roots and relocate first to Lawrence, MA, then to Atkinson, NH, later to Wexford, PA and most recently, Parker, CO. The family grew to include their son Ben, now 20, and their daughter Andreea, 16. After his family, and his career, John was passionate about music and his Harley Davidson motorcycle. John was an accomplished trumpet and guitar player, pianist and vocalist, who enjoyed enthusiastically participating in the musical liturgies at the Catholic parishes the family was a part of, as well as at family gatherings. His love of motorcycles came after his move to Wexford and grew on the wide open roads surrounding Parker, CO. John also found great comfort, and tried to live his life, following the tenets of Reinhold Niebuhr’s “Serenity Prayer”. John was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer) in February 2013 and courageously battled the disease right up to his death. During this period, John approached his treatments with determination and humor, both key attributes of the life he led. John was most concerned that his family would be taken care of after his death and he spent many hours ensuring that would be the case. John never complained about his disease, preferring to focus his energies on his treatment, and later, on his remaining time with his family and friends. A gathering of friends (wake) will precede John’s funeral on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, from 6-8 pm at Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services, 10470 S. Progress Way, Parker, CO. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Pax Chirsti Catholic Church, Lone Tree, CO, at 11 am, on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. A reception will follow the Mass, at 6234 N Crowfoot Valley Road, Parker to celebrate John’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the American Brain Tumor Association (www.abta.org), or by mail to 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 550, Chicago, IL 60631. Service Information