Luciano "Luke" Baros

Luciano “Luke” Baros, 83, of Cary, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 1, 2022. He was born August 28, 1938 in Dilia, New Mexico to Herman and Eugenia (nee Baca) Baros.

At the age of eight, his family moved from New Mexico to a farm in Fort Collins, CO then eventually to Cary, IL. He graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School then enlisted in the United States Army National Guard. After being honorably discharged, he met the love of his life, Terry Crane, from Rockford, and they settled in Cary to raise their family.

Luke was a man that saw only opportunities. With a passion for landscapes and gardening, Luke established his Landscape and Garden Centers in the Cary area and served his community by creating and designing beautiful spaces for families. His biggest achievement being Regents Park in Chicago.

After retirement, Luke moved to Rockford, where he worked at Home Depot. He loved volunteering at Anderson Gardens, the city of Rockford and Peterson Meadows retirement home. He won many awards for his work and dedication locally, but his highest honor was ringing the bell at the stock exchange. He was truly loved by all for his humor, big heart, strength, generosity, knowledge, and most of all his love for his family. When you were around him you felt comfort.

Luciano is survived by his children, Andrea (Steve) Swanson and Robert Scott Baros; grandchildren, Alex Baros, Taylor (Bryan) Dudek, and Giada Baros; niece, Kathy Wolff and her children, Malinda Tom and Joe Arnold; sister, Rita (Tom) Spantideas; brother, Joseph (Gretchen) Baros; many additional nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his caregivers at Crystal Pines.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Terry Baros; sister, Leonella Lundgren; and brothers, Gregory Baros and Gregorio Baros.

A Celebration of Life for Luciano will be held Sunday, Aug 28th from 11am-2pm at Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61107.

Donations in Luciano’s memory may be made to Anderson Japanese Gardens.