Wayne D. Mucci, 73 of Lutz, Florida, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday September 10, 2017.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Columba Church in Ottawa at 10 am, Wednesday, September 20 with the Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be from 3 – 6 pm, Tuesday, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Interment will be at Oakwood Memorial Park Shrine of Rest Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Tony Mucci, Dominic Mucci, Joseph Balocchi, Dick Raber, Peter Cassidy and Mitchell Scavone. Honorary Pallbearers are Billy Warren, Tom Darif, Bill Mucci, Peter Gama, and Richard Vetter.
Wayne was born May 9, 1944, in Ottawa, the son of Delpho and Helen (Griglione) Mucci. He married Irene K. Fergerson July 15, 1967. They divorced in 1978; she survives as his friend. He married Karen C. Scavone July 1, 1982.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Karen, of 36 years; and his beloved labradoodle Maggie Magee. He is also survived by his daughter Toni Trinette Palan (Jeff) and three special grandchildren, Joshua, Jordan; and Jared all of St. Charles, Ill.; his brother, John J. Mucci (Kay) of Morrison, Ill; 13 nieces and nephews, Keith Griglione, Jackie (Jim) Higgins, Tony Mucci, Andrew Mucci (Ericka), Justin Mucci (Justine), Jason Mucci (Kathy), Maria Garland, Joseph Mucci (Sherry), Dominic Mucci, Christopher Comis, Anthony Scavone, Kyle Scavone and Michael Scavone.
He graduated from Marguette High School in 1962. He was a member of the Varsity Club, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track. He set a pole vaulting record and a discus record. He served as senior class president. He attended Western Illinois University and was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois in 1969 and received a degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.
After graduation he opened his own landscape architectural firm in Northbrook, Ill. and received numerous landscape design awards including Mission Hills Golf & Country Club in Northbrook, Ill. where he was a resident for many years. In 1976, he became Vice President of the Corley Companies a Real Estate Development Company. In 1982, he was project director of Monoco Beach Club in Naples, Florida where he met his wife Karen. He relocated to Florida in 1983 and started Mucci Development Company developing retail shopping centers, self storage facilities and custom homes on Tampa Bay, in addition he and his wife developed, owned and operated several Subway restaurants.
Wayne loved fishing at his summer home on the Flambeau Flowage in northern Wisconsin. He was also an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with his wife as well as attending many golf outings with his Sig Tau buddies. He was a talented artist and designed many soft sculptures, quilts and holiday crafts. He and his wife enjoyed travels which included visiting antique malls, flea markets and arts and craft shows.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Delpho and Helen (Griglione) Mucci; brothers Jack and Jim; Grandparents, Eugene and Florence (Torri) Mucci and Babtista and Katherine (Shank) Griglione; and many aunts and uncles.
Wayne will be deeply missed by all. May God Bless his Memory.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
Wayne has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Prayer.