Longtime owner of local Sycamore shop Mr. G's Music Studio dies suddenly Friday

SYCAMORE – Longtime Sycamore business owner Steven Griglione, who opened Mr. G’s Music Studio in 1977, has died.

Maggie Peck, human resources director for the city of Sycamore, said it was only days before the longtime local music store owner died suddenly last week that she spoke to him last.

Peck said she had popped downstairs in the Sycamore Center building to briefly chat with Griglione, 70, of Sycamore, who owned Mr. G’s Music Studio for the past 43 years, to see how business was going for him amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She said everything appeared to be all right, given the circumstances, and the news of his death came as a complete shock to city staff.

“He was just a quiet, nice guy,” Peck said. “It’s just such a shame.”

Peck's comments come after relatives and friends of Griglione shared the news of his unexpected death Friday and his obituary on social media.

"It is wonderful to see all of the people who knew my dad share their thoughts and memories," Brad Griglione, Steven's son, wrote in a Tuesday public social media post. " ... Our family welcomes the public to the outdoor memorial service this Saturday at 1:45 p.m. at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Sycamore. Thank you all."

Brad Griglione reflected Wednesday on stories he’s seen shared in the days following his dad’s death of multiple generations of musicians who were taught by his father. He said his father was lucky he was able to pursue the things he loved most in life.

“It’s really heartwarming to see that so many people really enjoyed working with him on learning music and pursuing music in their families,” Griglione said.

DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller confirmed Wednesday that Steven Griglione died Friday of natural causes.

Kelly Griglione wrote in a Friday public social media post that her father-in-law owned his studio for more than four decades and loved teaching the community.

“He enjoyed watching his grandsons play baseball and shoot BB guns,” Kelly Griglione wrote in the Friday post. “I just learned tonight that, after [COVID-19] restrictions were over, he was going to let Logan [his grandson] ‘drive his Camaro really fast out by the corn fields.’ We will share more details of the arrangements as soon as we have them. Hug your family tight.”

Peck agreed that Steven Griglione is credited with teaching generations of musicians within the Sycamore community.

“He really brought a lot of people to downtown Sycamore,” Peck said. “He was such an important part of the community.”

Attendees are welcome to pay their respects during the graveside service following COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing facial coverings and social distancing at least 6 feet apart from others. Donations can be made to the Sycamore Music Boosters in Steven Griglione’s name in lieu of flowers, care of Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178, according to his obituary.

Brad Griglione said his dad received as much joy in teaching and sharing music as he gave.

“He really took pleasure in seeing his students share that love of music, especially his younger students,” Brad Griglione said. “That’s really what kept him motivated to keep the store open for so long, just continuing that sharing of music.”