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Gregory Joseph Giannoni, 61, of Cordele, passed away Monday, October 22, 2018 at his home.  He was the son of the late Joseph Giannoni and Betty Jane Giannoni of Elberton, Georgia.

Greg is survived by Suzi Buford Giannoni and their son, Ryan Christopher; Mike (Jennifer) Buford of Cordele, Ga, Kathee Radford of Celina, TN and Pat (Jens) Valle of Atlanta, GA.

Nieces and nephews include Ashley Buford (Brent) Braxton, Kathryn Leigh Buford (Stephen) Wells of Cordele and Jessica Valle (Adam) Ryan of Austin, Tx and Justin Valle of Atlanta, GA; and two others that he loved as his own: Mark Turner and Suzannne Goossens, plus his beloved Lagotto Romagnolos: Rocco, Lexi Gia, and Ikyra.

Greg was a leader in the Georgia granite industry during the 80’s and 90’s.  He was instrumental in developing the Granite Pricing Book still used by all the granite companies in Elberton, Georgia.

In 1997, Greg retired as Vice President/Owner of Central Granite.  He then pursued a number of endeavors that combined his business knowledge with his personal passions.  Greg was a skilled hunter with both rifles and bow and arrow.  Following that interest, he developed and patented a number of specialized bullets.

In keeping with his love of fishing and the great outdoors, Greg founded a pond management company that maintained ponds. He was a familiar figure with those who maintained stocked ponds in south Georgia.  He actively participated in the construction of handicap accessible deer stands for veterans through the Wounded Warrior Program.

But his greatest love was of animals.  He became interested in Italian water dogs known as Lagottos and was a charter member of the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America.  Greg spent his last years breeding and raising these beautiful animals on his farm in south Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to two of Greg’s favorite charities:

•American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) 424 East 92nd Street New York, NY 10128-6804

•Wounded Warriors Project PO Box 758517,  Topeka ,Ks 66675-8517

Per Greg’s request, a private memorial service will be conducted.

Arrangements are by Rainey Family Funeral Services. An online guest book is available at www.raineyfuneral.com