HISStory

Giovanni Pietro Bollettieri passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 22, 2026 in Gainesville, Florida. Giovanni was the beloved son of Cindi (Eaton) Bollettieri and the late Nicholas “Nick” Bollettieri of Bradenton, Florida.

Gio’s life story, while brief, was packed with immense love, joy and adventure. A word many used to describe him since he was a little boy is “extraordinary”… and, indeed he was.

On December 10, 2004 a beautiful old soul was born in an Oromo tribe in Asela, Ethiopia. His birth parents were overjoyed to welcome their only child and chose to name him Mesfin, which means “Prince, born of noble descent, gift from God”. Like his tribesman, Gio exuded the grace, nobility and presence of true royalty. A series of tragic events led to him being placed in an orphanage in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia at the age of four where he waited a year to meet his new forever family.

In December, 2009 on his fifth birthday, he leapt with exuberance into the arms of his forever mom and dad, Nick and Cindi Bollettieri who named him Giovanni (“God is gracious”) Pietro after his maternal grandfather. His new family was large and they welcomed him as one of their own with unconditional love and great excitement.

Giovanni knew only three words “Mommy, Daddy, and Thank You” when he arrived in his new home, but within four months was fluent in English. In the sixth grade, Gio competed with thousands of fellow students and won the countywide public speaking contest delivering the speech he wrote about “Why Adoption Is A Great Option” with the poise and eloquence of a professional speaker.

Gio was fearless and always up for an adventure. He packed more exploits in his short 21 years of life than most people do in an entire lifetime. He became a certified scuba diver at the age of 10, started flying helicopters at the age of 14, and even went skydiving on numerous occasions. He feared nothing.

Gio also loved to travel. Besides his Ethiopian homeland, he had traveled to many states in the United States, as well as had visited Dubai, Italy, England, Scotland, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, Costa Rica, and several Caribbean islands. He was looking forward to doing a semester abroad in Europe next fall. Recently, Gio was excited to find out that he, his mom, and Giacomo could all get their dual citizenship in Canada through a maternal ancestor. He put hours into locating the necessary documents, filling out all the paperwork, and submitting applications on behalf of the entire family. He passed away before his new Canadian passport arrived.

Giovanni’s love language was to do acts of service. He found great joy in helping others. Like his Poppa Pete, Giovanni was extremely handy and could fix anything. He became the person everyone called when they needed help with anything from computer technology to repairing appliances to putting up new fencing at the family farm. When he saw a need he just quietly took care of it, never expecting accolades or recognition. His kind and empathetic nature made him adored by anyone fortunate enough to cross his path. He was wise beyond his years often stating profound philosophical thoughts in his quiet, humble manner.

Much to his father’s delight, Gio was a natural athlete. Whatever sport he tried whether it was equestrian riding, golf, baseball, biathlon and skeet shooting, competitive swimming, biking, running, or lacrosse he did with a natural grace, perfect form, and exceptional ability. The sport that best showcased his talents was rowing. To watch Gio row was to witness pure elegance and synchronization. Every coach who ever worked with Gio in any sport said the same thing, “he’s a natural…he just makes it look easy.”

As a youngster, he enjoyed being a Scout, as well as dressing up for Halloween, school events, and in formal attire. Gio was looking forward to his cousin’s upcoming wedding celebration as he was excited to wear a Scottish kilt in the family tartan. In all things, he had an incredible sense of style.

Gio was extremely self-disciplined in all areas of his life. He ate only a healthy, organic, sugar-free diet while in Ethiopia and chose to continue to eat only “green light foods” for the rest of his life. At 21 years old, he had never tasted soda, a cookie, candy, cakes or even ice cream. But, he did love to cook and to eat gourmet foods from around the world, especially Ethiopian injera.

Gio was a great listener with incredible empathy. A natural caregiver, Gio was pursuing his undergraduate degree in biology with the goal to attend graduate school to become a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant. Only days before he passed, he found out that he had the credits he needed to transfer to the University of Florida to finish his bachelors degree. He had shadowed over 35 hours with various surgeons and anesthesiologists to prepare for his future career and was looking forward to several more shadowing experiences in the near future.

Gio was also a successful entrepreneur. He started both his own pressure-washing business and was a Turo rental car operator. He worked as a host in a restaurant, a scooper in an ice cream store, delivered food with Uber Eats, and sold his plasma. Gio also worked many different jobs at his much-loved Craftsbury General Store. Gio was a saver and an investor who studied the markets and enjoyed keeping track of how his investments were doing.

One of Giovanni’s favorite roles was that of big brother to Giacomo Bollettieri. For two years after arriving in his forever home, Gio prayed every night for a little brother. His prayers were finally answered. In October, 2011 he returned to the same orphanage in Ethiopia with his family to pick up his new brother, Giacomo. From the moment they met, Gio became Giacomo’s best friend and guardian, and was absolutely adored by Giacomo. The two were inseparable. Like his younger brother, Gio also was a great dancer, had a keen sense of humor, and found great joy in making others laugh. Giacomo looked up to and greatly admired his big brother who was his biggest cheerleader, who was always there for him, and who would have protected him with his own life.

His ability to connect with people of all ages combined with being wise beyond his years, his quiet and caring demeanor, being genuinely empathetic, and having excellent listening skills resulted in him being looked up to as a positive role model and a trusted and beloved friend to many. Gio was someone who others counted on in times of need. He also had a special gift around children. His well-honed sense of humor and playful personality allowed him to engage with them at their level, and resulted in him being a fast favorite of many little ones. Gio would have made a fabulous father. He was loved by all those fortunate enough to meet him. Like his Nana Nancy, Gio never spoke negatively about anyone. He could find the good in everyone.

Giovanni was humble, kind, appreciative, and was often recognized as a leader. His ethical standards were firm and unshakeable…his moral compass always pointed due North. He was chosen as the recipient of the St. Stephen Episcopal School’s annual Integrity Award, and the Leadership Award the following year. Gio was often chosen “Captain” by his friends and teammates. He was honored to have been selected by his peers for both the Homecoming Court and the Prom Court at IMG Academy where he attended high school and played in their lacrosse program.

Gio leaves behind his mother, Cindi Bollettieri; brother and best friend, Giacomo Bollettieri of Bradenton, Florida; his birthmother, Chifre Tadesse of Asela, Ethiopia; brother James “Jimmy” Bollettieri and his wife Lisa Leone; sisters Danielle Bollettieri; Angelique Bollettieri; Nicole (Bollettieri) Kroenig and her husband Brad Kroenig; and Alexandra Bollettieri all of Florida; maternal grandparents Peter and Nancy (Goss) Eaton of Derby Line, Vermont; his Aunt and Godmother Tami (Eaton) Young and her husband Allen of Lyndonville, Vermont; his Uncle Timothy Eaton and his wife Penny (Morris) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; his cousins Willa Bay and Addison Breunich, Hudson and Jameson Kroenig; Bethany Young; Whitney (Young) Saunders and husband Matthew; Alley (Young) Larocque and husband Justin; Ian Young and wife “Renn” (Gardner); Benjamin Young and wife Emily (Bowman), Nancy (Young) Worley and husband “Eli”; Jonathan Young and wife Caroline (Windsor); his Godparents Wendy Nelson, Steve Shulla, Mark Fisher, Richard Harding, and Giacomo Staiano; along with many, many beloved “aunts”, “uncles”, cousins, and dear, dear friends. Giovanni was predeceased by his birth father, his forever father Nick Bollettieri, and his Godfather John Hendrickson.

Giovanni’s handsome face, always-present big bright smile, his infectious laugh, playful pranks, and joyful nature will be missed by many…his beautiful spirit won’t soon be forgotten.

Giovanni’s Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the Dr. Janet Pullen Center at St. Stephens Episcopal School at 315 41st Street West, Bradenton, Florida with a reception immediately following at the IMG Academy Golf Clubhouse on 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton, Florida.

Gio loved Breezy Hill Farm, the family farm in Craftsbury Common, Vermont. A Celebration of Life with his Vermont friends and family is scheduled for Friday, September 18th, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the United Church of Craftsbury with a reception immediately following in the fellowship hall.

To honor Giovanni’s love of the water, his ashes will be scattered in the ocean at a private ceremony.

Please visit the website giobollettieri.com to send well wishes, share memories, upload photos and videos, receive updates, and contribute gifts. All gifts received will go towards creating a memorial in Gio’s honor helping his legacy of kindness continue for generations to come.