Mr. John D. Livoti

John D. Livoti, 86, of Columbia, died on Friday, January 31, 2025. Born on July 9, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Giuseppe “Joseph” Livoti and Giovanna “Jenny” Bueti Livoti. John loved America, believed in America, and lived the American dream. He was the son of Italian (and Sicilian) immigrants, and part of a large, loving family in Brooklyn, New York. He always talked about getting his strong work ethic from his mother, who was a seamstress. He began work at an early age, working at a family chicken market in Brooklyn as a teenager. He played baseball growing up at the local parish, which started his love of America’s pastime. He graduated from New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating on a Friday, he started work the following Monday at Cunningham and Walsh, an advertising agency in New York City, working as a messenger. That started his career in the world of advertising, marketing, and broadcast sales. While working in New York City at another ad agency, he met the love of his life, Geri Lanza, in September 1962. It was love at first sight and they married two years later in New York in September 1964. John and Geri brought four sons into the world over the next several years: Anthony, Thomas, and twins Vincent and Matthew. Work drew them from New York to Ohio for 6 years. But a job with WIS-TV brought John and his burgeoning family to Columbia, South Carolina in November 1977. And it is here where they put down deep roots and raised their family ever since. John was very involved in raising his four sons, coaching their soccer teams, watching their wrestling matches, and going to band competitions. All the while he would teach his sons lessons learned from growing up: work hard; stand for something or you’ll fall for anything; the man who makes no mistakes, usually makes nothing at all; be a person who wants to do something (school, work, whatever) and not a person who has to do something. John and his loving wife Geri raised these four sons, who brought them 10 grandchildren. John and Geri made family gatherings special events: birthdays, anniversaries, Sunday dinners, and most famous of all Livoti Beach (or Lake) Week vacations. John bought T-shirts to mark the occasions of these vacations, always with an Italian flair. He loved to tell stories about growing up in Brooklyn and the early days of his work, being sure to tell you the guy’s name, whether he was “a big Irish guy” or “an Italian guy,” what he used to drive or what he used to wear. When John D told you a story, you felt like you were with him at the time, and you knew the person he was talking about! He was most proud of his four sons and his 10 grandchildren. There was no mistaking one of his sons, as they all looked alike and all like John: the 5 of them could pass as brothers! After passing on life lessons to his sons, he then began passing them along to his grandchildren. He was so proud of all their accomplishments, seeing 5 of them graduate college with 5 more set to graduate in the next 3 years. John and Geri were a great couple together and were incredible on the dance floor. They were blessed to celebrate their 60th Anniversary in September 2024 and were dancing the night away at their party surrounded by their large, loving family. John never really retired from work, still serving his advertising clients even as late as December 2024. He shared his lessons from a lifetime of work with a group called S.C.O.R.E. and visited inmates in prison who were transitioning back into society. He often talked about how rewarding this work was and how he felt it was a small way to share lessons learned over a lifetime of work and raising a family to others in need. Those in Northeast Columbia saw him as a regular shopper at Publix, chatting up friends and family alike. He always had “a guy”: for clothes, produce, cold cuts, whatever. He had the gift of connecting with anyone he met, and you knew you made a connection when he gave you a nickname! He loved, loved, loved, music and pretty much all kinds. He taught his kids to love music, which they have passed on to their kids. His first love was jazz, and he told stories of attending the Newport Jazz Festival in the late 50s. He loved salsa music, Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Winton Marsalis, the Buena Vista Social Club, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, The Chieftains, the Elvis Presley Gospel Album, and countless other artists. You could hear him coming in his car with the music blaring before you saw him because, well, he really couldn’t hear! He was known as a dapper dresser, always dressing up, and always with a hat. In addition to his other sporting love of baseball, he also loved golf. He taught his sons (and grandkids) the game. He played in several Father Son golf tournaments with all four of his boys over the years. He ran the Amateur Golf Tour in Columbia and Myrtle Beach for several years, making friends around the game all across the state. He loved being around the game of golf, and with his family at the course. He recently joined Northeast Presbyterian Church, where he made public the profession of faith that he had in his heart during his life. John D, Johnny!, Pops, John, Dad, Gramps, Pop. He was known by many names and loved by his family, friends, and many others. He lived a long, full life and made an impact on everyone he met. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Geri Livoti; his sons and grandchildren: Anthony Livoti (Jill) of Blythewood, and their children Sophia, William, and Isabelle; Thomas Livoti of Columbia, and his sons Joseph and Matthew; Vincent Livoti (Kim) of Columbia, and their children Samantha, Dominic, and Daniel; and Matthew Livoti (Christy) of Charlotte, NC and their children Kathryn and Jack. He is also survived by his sister, Josephine Livoti of New York City, NY, along with several other cousins and other relatives. The family will receive guests from 4 until 6 pm, Tuesday, February 4th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC. The funeral service for Mr. Livoti will be held at 2 o’clock, Wednesday, February 5th, at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia, SC, with Reverend Josh Desch officiating. The family will also receive guests prior to the service in the church atrium beginning at 1 o’clock. A private burial with military honors will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at a later date. A livestream of Mr. Livoti’s service will be available by visiting the CURRENT WEBCAST tab at ShivesFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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Mr. John D. Livoti

July 9, 1938 - January 31, 2025