Glenn F. Gongola

Glenn F. Gongola passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, on October 8, 2025. A lifelong musician and movie aficionado, his favorite Castaway quote, “we’ve got time,” unfortunately did not come true as he only had a few precious weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. Yet, Glenn lived a full life, with many passions.

Born in Chicago May 2, 1951, Glenn loved taking things apart and putting them back together, which led him into a lifelong career in the mechanical industry. He was a member of Pipefitter Local 597 and an authority on ammonia systems; he retired from AMS Mechanical. But one of his favorite things to fix was Fender tube amplifiers. Inspired by his love of The Beatles and other classic bands, Glenn was a collector of many things musical, as well as being a multi-instrumental musician himself.

One of Glenn’s most beloved pastimes, especially when he wanted to get away from it all and pick up some good vibrations, was to head to the lakehouse his father built on the Dunes in Porter Beach, Indiana. Glenn spent the summers of his childhood playing in the waves, and it brought him great joy to watch his children and grandchildren, Vyn Gongola & Alik (AJ) Gongola, do the same, including when he took them out on his boat, Snavely.

Glenn is missed by many, especially his high school sweetheart, Donna (Pestka) Gongola. He let her into his heart, and she always made it better for over 56 years of marriage. Family was always important to Glenn (so don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family). He was preceded in death by his dear parents Frank & Gladys Gongola. His children, Cary Sheehan (Kevin), Paul Gongola (Kristen) and Dana Gongola, recognize many of the traits they inherited from Glenn, including their passion for music and their sweet tooths, frequently asking throughout their lives, “Daddy, ask the man for some candy!” Glenn was grateful for his brother Gary Gongola (Elaine). He was proud to be "Uncy G" to Greg, Andy (Katrina) and Anne Gongola, Peter (January), Jessica and Angel (Dan) Sambell, and Jon, Jeff and Stephanie Pestka.

Private services will be held to celebrate Glenn’s life. We invite all to remember him as we do:

Glenn will always be in our ears and in our eyes and in our hearts.

So we don’t need to be alone,

Don’t need to be afraid, no need to be afraid.

Because it's real love, it’s real.

So, as Glenn would want,

This band’s goin’ to play from 9 to 1,

Everybody here’s gonna have some fun,

Doin’ the mess around in Glenn’s honor.

We trust that

Just what Glenn wanted to be

He was in the end.

And we love him,

Yes, we love him.

Oh, how we love him.

(Songs referenced: Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys; Hey Jude, The Beatles; Penny Lane, The Beatles; Real Love, The Beatles; Mess Around by Ray Charles; Nights in White Satin, by The Moody Blues. Movies and shows referenced: Castaway; The Godfather; The Simpsons)