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Greg DeStefano, 60, died Jan. 30 at his home in Northbrook after a 14-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones, including his wife of 29 years, Melinda (Mindy) Meade, and their three children: Michaela, Annika and Peter Durst Peter DeStefano.
Greg was born in Chicago on April 2, 1963, to Judith and the late James DeStefano. The eldest of three boys, he grew up in Evanston. Greg graduated from Evanston Township High School, had multiple college transcripts, and was captain of the lacrosse and soccer teams.
In 1986, he earned a degree in architecture from Cornell University’s acclaimed five-year architecture program. While at Cornell, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and received honorary title for his final thesis. As a college student, his entrepreneurial spirit also flourished, and he founded several businesses, including a custom beach towel company, and ran Candid Photo Co. Throughout his life, he enjoyed tinkering with new product designs and concepts.
After graduating, he worked in the marble and granite industry, which developed a lifelong love for Italy and expertise in stone fabrication and finishing. He established the standard for gold leaf installation during the construction of 75 State Street in Boston.
In 1993, he received a Master of Architecture degree from Syracuse University in Florence, Italy. He would return to Italy to complete his painting studies, which enhanced his artistic sensitivity and love for that country. Greg was a renaissance man with a love of wine and food and a passion for art and music.
Greg began his architectural career at Himmel/Bonner in Chicago, becoming a senior design partner in 1989, working with his father, James DeStefano, at their firm, DeStefano + Partners. Greg has been responsible for the design and management of more than $2 billion in residential, office and retail new construction and land planning projects. He founded the residential design group that worked on major award-winning projects such as Riverview, 33 West Wacker and Grand Central Station.
In 2001, Greg joined Greenfield Partners as Managing Director of Design and Development, where he oversaw the design and construction of more than $4 billion in assets under management worldwide, including the award-winning Standard Hotel in New York City’s Meatpacking District.
Greg founded GDS in 2012. He has overseen the design and construction of numerous projects across the country, including the Sandpearl Hotel in Clearwater Beach, Florida, the ACE Hotel in Los Angeles, and the development of the Noyes Street Lofts in Evanston. His creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in hospitality and residential real estate have made him a sought-after expert in the industry.
Greg is a consummate family man, coach, mentor and volunteer. He spent several years coaching his children’s soccer teams, served on the Evanston Arts Center Board of Directors, and was always willing to give of his time and energy to those he loved. He leaves behind a legacy of friends and extended family and will be fondly remembered for his loyalty and ability to bring people together. He enjoys entertaining at home with his wife and can often be found sitting outside by a campfire drinking bourbon.
Outside of work, he enjoys sports – including the Men’s League Hockey League, and faithfully follows the Blackhawks, Bears and Cubs. He always pursued his love of music, including concerts at Ravinia and a string of appearances with the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffet and the Grateful Dead/Dead & Company, even while The same goes for when you feel uncomfortable.
He will be remembered for his strength, honor and tireless determination. He was a true warrior, fighting the disease without complaint. He maintained his sarcastic sense of humor until the end, and despite the challenges he experienced, he never let cancer dictate the way he lived his life.
Greg is survived by his mother, Judith DeStefano, his brothers, Jeffrey DeStefano (Helene) and Gary DeStefano (Emily), and nephews: Hutton Baker, Evan DeStefano, Nelson DeStefano, Owen DeStefano, Jack Fleming, Toston Mead and his niece Holly Fry Ming, Camille DeStefano, Erin Mead, and Astrid Mead. He was much loved by his mother-in-law, Marjorie Meade, his late father-in-law, William Meade, his sister-in-law, Marcy Fleming (John) and his brother-in-law, William Michael Meade (Jessica).
Visitation will be Friday, February 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. In Skokie.
The next day, Saturday, February 10, a “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Evanston, 1445 Hinman Ave.
To join the service virtually, please click this link.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Ravinia Tribute Fund, which will benefit Ravinia and her music education programs. Donations will be used to build a bench in memory of Greg in Ravinia.
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