Scott Joseph Gjovik
Scott Joseph Gjovik, 71, of Oswego, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at his home. He was born on June 13, 1952, in Berwyn, IL to Florence and Olaf Gjovik. He and his twin Dawn were the youngest of five children. Among his family, he was known as the arbitrator of the household disputes—a role he quite relished and later carried into his law career.
Scott grew up in Oakbrook, IL before moving to Sandwich, IL. He graduated class salutatorian from Sandwich High School in 1970. During high school, he was a keen athlete participating in basketball, cross country, and football. Following high school, he attended Notre Dame University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He remained a devoted Notre Dame enthusiast until his death. He could tell you all about the football, basketball, and soccer teams. Scott continued his academic pursuits at Northwestern University where he received his law degree in 1977. He practiced law in Chicago briefly before joining the family business.
Scott’s passion for cars started at a young age. On Sunday afternoons, he and his siblings would visit his father’s used car lot, Trade & Travel. They would sit in the back row driving the clunkers hidden behind the office and pretend they were driving down the road. It’s no surprise that Scott later found his calling in the automotive industry. He got his start at Gjovik Chevy-Olds working as a service writer and parts manager. In the late 1980s, he became General Manager of the very same dealership before striking out on his own. Scott assumed ownership of Apache Ford Mercury (now Gjovik Ford) in Sandwich, Illinois in the early 1990s. He spent the next thirty years building the Ford dealership into the showplace it is today. In September 2020 he moved the dealership from Sandwich to Plano into a Ford state of the art sales and service facility. In 2021 he was awarded the President’s Award from Ford. It is only given to the top 50 dealers in the nation. He was a big supporter of the Chamber of Commerce for the towns of Sandwich, Plano and Yorkville.
During his undergraduate study abroad in Europe, Scott discovered his love for travel. One of his most impactful travel experiences was traveling to the other side of the Iron Curtain on a special tour of Leningrad, Moscow, Kiev, Warsaw, and Prague. Scott will also be remembered for his love of Notre Dame football, current events, Christmas, and family.
Scott was a devoted uncle to 9 nieces and a nephew and great-uncle to 13 great-nieces and nephews, and great-great uncle to 1 niece and 2 nephews. He was everyone’s favorite, fun uncle. As all his nieces and nephews came of age, Scott introduced them to the world of scary movies including some of his favorites – Nightmare on Elm Street and Candyman.
Scott is preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved Shar-Peis, Jasmine and Gypsy. He will be dearly missed by his siblings, Judy (Les) Westphal, Jan (Richard) Fensterer, Mark (Kitty) Gjovik, and Dawn (Scott) Harding, his many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as his employees. Scott will forever remain in our hearts, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.
The family of Scott Gjovik invites friends and well-wishers to join them in celebrating his life and sharing cherished memories. Visitation will be from 3 PM to 8 PM on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Nelson Funeral Home, 1010 W. South Street in Plano, IL. On Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 10 AM, there will be a service of remembrance at the funeral home, followed by a funeral procession from the funeral home to Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich, IL where a private family graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Open Door Rehabilitation Center at 405 S. Wells St., Sandwich, IL 60548.
For additional information, please contact Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com at 630-552-7211.
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