Flavio’s Light Lives On

Legacy of Love.

Future of Possibility.

This moment captured Flavio’s spirit: bold, full of life, and always ready to leap toward what mattered most.

The Flavio Gentile Legacy Foundation exists to carry forward Flavio’s light by creating opportunity where it’s needed most. Rooted in love and driven by purpose, our mission is to support the educational dreams of children who have lost a parent too soon. By funding high school and college tuition and providing meaningful resources along the way, we help young people jump, soar, and fly toward a future full of possibility—one that Flavio would be proud to inspire.

Our Mission

A smiling couple taking a selfie outdoors near a yellow kayak and green grass.
A man with dark hair and light skin, wearing a white striped dress shirt, holding a glass of white wine, poses in front of a wine refrigerator filled with bottles. He has sunglasses hanging from his shirt collar and a name tag that reads 'Printer's Row' and 'Flavio.'
Young male football player in a white jersey with black lettering and black shorts, kneeling on grass with a football near his left knee and holding a football helmet, smiling outdoors in front of a stone building with arched windows and greenery.

Flavio’s Story

Flavio Vincent Gentile lived with boldness, humor, and heart. A proud graduate of Fenwick High School and the University of Arizona, Flavio excelled both in the classroom and on the field. He was a lifelong athlete with a passion for sports, especially football and hockey, which he played with grit and joy. In later years, he found peace and pride on the golf course, where his skill and love for the game brought him endless happiness and new friendships.

Flavio was a true Chicagoan, a diehard Bears fan with season tickets and a deep love for the city that shaped him. He had a passion for music, often writing songs and playing the guitar, sharing his creativity and soul through every note. His friendships, many of which began in childhood, stood the test of time and distance. A testament to the loyalty and love he gave so freely.

After College, Flavio met the love of his life, Tanya, and they were happily married for 17 years. Together, they built a beautiful life in the city, raising two daughters, Mia and Ella, and creating a home full of warmth, laughter, and deep connection. They nurtured a strong sense of community and a commitment to education through Old Saint Mary’s and St. Ignatius, where their values and friendships continued to grow.

A proud small business owner, Flavio ran Gentile’s Bottle Shop and Printers Row Wine Shop & Wine Bar in Chicago’s South Loop, now operated by Tanya. He approached his work the way he approached life: with creativity, thoughtfulness, and a natural ability to bring people together.

Flavio's presence was magnetic. He had a gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved. His legacy lives on not only in the lives he touched, but in the joy, passion, and vivacity he brought to the world every single day.

A group of four people, including a woman, a man, and two young girls, smiling and posing together in a gymnasium. The woman and girl are wearing shirts with the Old St. Mary's School logo.
A man on a boat with an outboard motor, with a marina of docked boats and sailboats in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Our Why

The Flavio Gentile Legacy Foundation was created by those who loved Flavio most, his family and friends. We are committed to honoring his life in a way that reflects his spirit. He was someone who people were naturally drawn to. He touched everyone he knew with his energy, kindness, and unforgettable presence.

Today, that spirit guides everything we do. Through educational support and scholarships for children who have lost a parent during their educational years, beginning with his daughters Mia and Ella, we are turning love into legacy by helping young people rise with the same boldness and joy that Flavio brought to the world.

A man and a young girl sitting on a couch, watching television in a modern apartment with large windows and a city view.

Take Action

When you give to the Flavio Gentile Legacy Foundation, you directly support the educational

journeys of children who have lost a parent, beginning with Flavio’s daughters, Mia and Ella.

Whether you're giving in honor of Flavio, someone you love, or simply because you believe in the

power of opportunity, your generosity makes a lasting difference.

Ways to Give:

  • One-Time Donation

  • Monthly Giving – Become a Legacy Supporter

  • Tribute Gift – In Memory or In Honor

  • Attend our Annual Golf Outing

  • Corporate Matching Gifts

Every dollar fuels a future. Every gift carries his light.

The Flavio Gentile Legacy Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.