Jeffrey William Minervini, age 61, of Traverse City, Michigan, made his final Irish goodbye on May 3, 2026. He was given a 12-month cancer prognosis, and rather than seeking treatment that might extend his life a few months, he spent his last year focused on quality time and checking items off an extensive bucket list.

That time included special dinners with family, landscaping his yard, gardening and fixing up his home, resale shopping, playing pinball with his friends and siblings, entertaining on his patio, and traveling downstate for reunions with friends, including a most memorable day with his favorite people at a Detroit Tigers baseball game.

Jeff was born in Detroit eleven months after his brother Raymond on Christmas Day, 1964. He lived a life marked by independence, resourcefulness, creativity, empathy, joy and resilience.

As a child in East Detroit, Jeff and his siblings spent hours with friends riding around on bikes, climbing trees, or playing kickball. With a treehouse, clubhouse, field out back, and welcoming parents, the Minervini home on Toepfer Street was the neighborhood gathering spot. And the number of friends hanging out at “Toepfer House” grew over the years—with Jeff usually serving as the master of ceremonies. Those friendships flourished at East Detroit High School (Class of 1983) and endured throughout his entire life.

Jeff had a very close relationship with his grandmother, Adeena, and he loved spending time garage saling with her. Later, after migrating to Traverse City with the rest of the family, he opened the Kash Cow Resale Shoppe off Woodmere Avenue, where she was his best (volunteer) employee.

Jeff then spent nearly twenty years working for his dad's construction company, building restaurants throughout the country before focusing on several Traverse City landmark restoration projects, including the Old Town Playhouse, the Perry Hannah House, Carnegie Library, and The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. He was known for his artful attention to detail.

Always thinking of others, Jeff would often show up with the perfect thing you didn't know you needed, like to-go containers for all the Thanksgiving leftovers, or sunshades to put up at the beach cookout, or colored lights and a strobe for an exchange student's birthday party. He always came through with the finishing touch.

Jeff loved living downtown and enjoyed all things Traverse City— especially the Cherry Festival, 4th of July Fireworks, UpNorth Pride, Cherry T Ball Drop, and the Light Parade. His favorite hangouts included the Coin Slot, Dairy Lodge, Brady's Bar, U&I, Mode's Bum Steer and Union Street Station in the old days.

Jeff is survived by his parents Ray (Marsha) Minervini and Peggy Holland, his siblings, Raymond (Christie) Minervini, Tony (Melinda) Lombardi, Laura (Barry) O'Brien, and Jason Lombardi. He also left behind six nieces and nephews: Camellia Minervini, Robert O'Brien, Pierce “Onyx” O'Brien, Ella “Cam” Lombardi, Leo Lombardi, and Audrey Lombardi.

He was preceded in death by his dear friend Lynn Guba.

A memorial service will be held at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Thomas Judd Care Center in Traverse City, or, in Jeff’s spirit, consider adopting a cat.

Jeff's loved ones extend their heartfelt gratitude to the heroes at Munson Hospice House, and to all of the friends and colleagues who extended support during this difficult time.

Jeff will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his warm smile, irreverent sense of humor, and the way he connected with so many people. Please join us in sharing memories of the life he built around family, friends, and the community he loved.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Jeff’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

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