Larry Gianneschi Jr.

Larry Gianneschi Jr. Larry Gianneschi Jr., 83, was born Sept. 17, 1925, the son of Lawrence and Genevieve and brother of Irv, Harry and Alice Lou, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2009, peacefully in his sleep after an extended illness. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet; his five devoted children, Larry III and Sherry Gianneschi, Patricia and Don Rio McNichols, Danny Gianneschi, David and Sandra Gianneschi and Michael D. and Ginni Gianneschi; his 16 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, "Nipper." During World War II, he served in the Navy on the USS Nashville under General MacArthur in the South Pacific and the Philippines. Larry was a globetrotting family man through his long career at CBS News. His Emmy award winning work with Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Charles Kuralt and Dan Rather spanned more than four decades. While his work at CBS News covered presidents, prime ministers, politicians and popes, as well as the world's leading writers, artists and musicians, and the important issues of the day, it was his time traveling "On The Road" with Charles Kuralt reporting the stories of the everyday American that he cherished most. A member of IBEW Broadcast Engineers Local 1220, IATSE Stagehand Local 2 and after some 50 years as a member of IATSE Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 476, he was awarded a gold membership card. He leaves behind a legacy in the motion picture industry that is carried on by the dozens he helped and touched who followed him into the industry that he loved. A memorial service will be held at Rob Roy Country Club in Prospect Heights on Saturday, May 16, from 1 until 4 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401, phone 1-800-757-2873.