Obituary: Gaetano (Guy) Rando (1936-2023)

Gaetano (Guy) Rando (Age 87)

On Tuesday, January 10th, Gaetano Rando, loving father of four children, passed away at 86.

Gaetano (Guy) was born on Sept. 4, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, to Domenico and Constantina (Iannacone) Rando. He received his Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University in 1959. He went on to earn his master’s in landscape architecture at Harvard University in 1961.

Soon after, he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship, which launched his practice in Italy and abroad. He would endeavor in landscape architecture for 44 years along with following his passion to create art.

On Jan. 23, 1960, he married Josephine Penizotto, they raised three boys Guy, Marco, and Tony. In 1980, he partnered with Meda Ling, and they raised one boy Gaetano Ling.

Guy had a passion for design, art, and nature and seamlessly intertwined the three throughout his life and practice. He pioneered work with Whittlesey & Conklin on the master plan for the New Town of Reston, including the creation of Lake Anne & Washington Plaza. Throughout his career he advocated and was committed to Robert E. Simon’s vision of Reston and its diverse community.

He is an author of Golf Course Development & Real Estate for ULI-The Urban Land Institute. His work history also included inventing new ways of designing golf courses for prestigious firms like Robert Trent Jones.

However, he took immense joy in smaller more playful family projects that were personal and challenged his creative spirit. A design for the National Arboretum appropriately titled “National Country Garden” was a sustainable garden concept a head of its time.

Guy was preceded in death by his father, Domenico, mother, Constantina, sister Concetta, and brothers Anthony and Johnny. He is survived by his three children, Marco, Tony, and Gaetano; their respective spouses, Elle, LeeAnne, and Yoon; and grandchildren, Brooklyn, Zen, Teo, and Iro. He’s also survived by his brother, Domenic Rando.

Guy’s celebration of life party will be held this spring at the end of April. The exact date will be posted on social media. In lieu of gifts, we wish to spread more love by suggesting donations to charities of choice.