Jack Frank Gentilini died peacefully with his wife by his side on July 11, 2012 at St. Raphael's Health Center in Eveleth. Jack was born January 4, 1933 the son of Louis Senior and Gladys (Peckels) Gentilini in Virginia. He graduated from the Marquette Catholic School and attended Virginia Roosevelt High School, as well as many levels of business management schools and sales seminars.
Jack is a legend in the automobile business on the Iron Range. He first worked for his father at age 15 on school nights and weekends, and then he moved on to be the youngest Ford dealer in the state in Gilbert, MN and sold the first Thunderbird on the Iron Range in 1956. In 1960, General Motors approached him and he became a franchised dealer for Buick, Pontiac and GMC Truck at the young age of 27. In 1975, Jack bought out his brother and father who retired, and became the sole owner of Gentilini Motors. However, in 1985, the economy on the Iron Range dictated the closing of Gentilini Motors, and Jack worked for other dealerships until 1992 when he went to work for Iron Trail Motors until November 2011. Jack was elected twice to the Buick Dealer Council in Minnesota from 1977 to 1984. He was a member of the Italian American Club in Virginia, the Virginia Elk's Club, the Holy Spirit Church, the Northern Club, the National Rifle Association, and a past President for three terms of the Homes and School Association of Marquette Catholic School. Jack was honorably discharged from the National Guard as Sergeant E5 in 1960. Throughout his life, Jack enjoyed motorcycling, western movies, reading, hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. He took pride in being called a "true gentleman". Jack married his love, Carolyn Luoma, on December 18, 1980, and they recently celebrated 31 wonderful years together. He enjoyed being called "Virginia's First Man" when his wife became the first woman mayor.
In addition to his wife, Carolyn, Jack will be sadly missed by his daughters: Karen (Tim) Fogarty of Bloomington, MN, Julie (Peter) Jordan of Bradenton, FL, and Julie (Jeremy) Skenzich of Virginia, MN; grandchildren: Gray and Jill Johnston, Noah Jordan, and Alex and Joey Lackner; brothers: Thomas (Jeanne) Gentilini, Floyd (Gloria) Gentilini; sister: Beverly (Frank) Wudinich; aunt: Celia Makynen; special sister-in-law: Audrey (John) Scipioni and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will also be missed by his beloved grand dogs: Razzy, Zoie, Cooper and Rusty.
Jack was well known and respected on the Iron Range. He leaves behind many good friends and customers - who also became good friends. He was an amazingly kind, thoughtful and generous man who will always be remembered and loved. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle imaginable, always putting his family first, and his values will live on through his family. Jack has brightened our lives, and we will miss him deeply.
The family would like to give a very special thank you to the amazing staff at St. Raphael's Health Center in Eveleth and the East Range Hospice Team. They all made certain that Jack was comfortable and pain free, responding to his every need. Additionally, the Iron Trail Motors owners and staff have been wonderfully supportive of Jack throughout his employment and his illness, and his family is so appreciative.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brothers: Louis Jr.,
Leonard "Swede", and Raymond.
A Gathering Time for Family and Friends will be on Monday, July 16, 2012 from 10:00 a.m.until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia. Reverend Father Frank Perkovich will be the celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred.
Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To share condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Gathering Time for Family & Friends 10:00 a.m. - 11:00a.m. ,Monday, July 16, 2012
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
306 Second Street South Virginia, MN 55792
Memorial Mass 11:00 a.m. ,Monday, July 16, 2012
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
306 Second Street South Virginia, MN 55792
Inurnment Monday, July 16, 2012
Calvary Cemetery - Virginia
1110 North 9th Street Virginia, MN 55792