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Will be viewable and active on 8/21/21 - 15 Minutes before the service at 12:00 PM and will be available to re-watch at any time.

RALEIGH

Robert G. Janni, 55, passed away on August 6, 2021. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 6, 1966 to Claudio Janni and Arleen Woll. It is with great sadness the Janni family announce the passing of Robert G. Janni on August 6, 2021, in Transitions Lifecare hospice facility, Raleigh, following a courageous fight to recover from a stroke caused by a massive brain aneurysm.

He is preceded in death by stepfather-in-law W.T. "Dub" Lyon, brother-in-law Tommy Lee Hansard, and cousin David Janni.

Robert and his family moved around a lot as kids. Robert lived in New York (where he was born), New Jersey (two cities - Somerset and Ramsey), Tennessee (two cities - Nashville and Hendersonville), Florida (Dunedin/Clearwater area) where he was on a wrestling and soccer team.  From there, he moved to Texas where Robert lived the majority of his life growing up. While living in Texas, Robert attended Nichols Jr High and then went on to graduate from Lamar High School. Robert graduated top of his class in 1984 with Honors. Robert had a passion for drawing, sketching and oil painting as he grew up, which led him down his path to architecture.

He then went to University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) to pursue a bachelor's degree in Architecture. This is where he made many lifelong friends and met his lovely wife, Danette Gass. They were married August 13th, 1988 in Arlington, Texas. They moved together to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1990 for him to pursue his master's degree in Architecture at Harvard University. After his graduation from Harvard, Robert and Danette moved back to Dallas/Ft. Worth area to set up roots with family and friends. This is when he discovered his love for Rugby playing on the Denton TX team. He was over the moon when his twin sons were born on June 23, 1997. Robert and his family moved to Raleigh, NC in January, 1998 to further his career in architecture and construction. He fell in love with Raleigh and its close proximity to the beaches and mountains. As you can guess, Robert and family made many trips to the beautiful beaches and amazing Blue Ridge Mountains. As the boys grew, Robert got involved with CASL, the local soccer league. He coached the boys soccer team for 10 years, and enjoyed every minute of it. Robert was an avid world traveler who was fortunate to visit Italy, Sicily, Poland, Spain, France, Austria, South America, Canada, Costa Rica and many more. Robert made sure to make regular visits to his extended family in Italy, a family he worked hard to stay connected to and loved very much. He enjoyed cooking (and eating) big meals with wine, whiskey, and a good cup of espresso. Robert's career spanned many aspects of architecture which eventually led to the hospitality business.

He was blessed with the ability to make friends wherever he went. Robert was a radiant person to all he met and a vibrant source of inspiration for those close to him. We are certain that he is in a better place making people laugh with his witty puns and enjoying a pint or two of Guinness. He will be remembered for his kind heart, patience, zest for life, and his dedication to family and friends - no matter the distance.

He leaves lasting and cherished memories for his wife, Danette Janni of 32 years (Raleigh, NC); his two sons, Adrian Janni (Raleigh, NC) and Alexander Janni (Raleigh, NC); and his parents Claudio and Arleen Janni (Raleigh, NC); and his sister and brother, Claudeen Dyson (Arlington) and Marc Janni (Lantana, TX) , TX); numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in Italy, Sicily and US; his sister-in-law Kara Janni (Marc); his mother-in-law Ruth Lyon (Lakeside, TX); and his father-in-law Terrell Gass (Morgan, TX) and stepmother-in-law Beverly Gass (Morgan, TX); and his sister-in-law Annette Gass (Carrollton, TX); and sister-in-law Stacy Joynt (Fort Worth, TX) and brother-in-law Lonny Joynt (Fort Worth, TX).

The Janni Family will receive friends and family for visitation on Friday, August 20th from 6-8pm at Montlawn Funeral home in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The service will be held at Montlawn Funeral home on Saturday, August 21st at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.  https://foodbankcenc.org/

Arrangements under the direction of Montlawn Funeral Home and Cremations.