On Christmas Eve, Faust Alexander Ciani, Jr. lost his short but fierce battle with COVID-19 at the age of 85. Alex, or "Mr. C", as he is known and loved by many, is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Beverly Ann Ciani; daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Gerald Perritt; grandchildren Katherine Leigh Perritt, Joseph Alexander Perritt and Joshua Lowell Perritt; sister Juanita Rochester of Chatsworth, GA; sister and brother-in-law Mary Frances and Daniel Schutt of Apopka, FL; sister-in-law Gloria Ciani of Tampa, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; brother John Ciani; and sister Marguerite Cross. Alex was born in Florala, AL on January 12, 1935 to Faust Alexander Ciani, Sr. and Adele Aviles Ciani. He grew up in Tampa, Florida and graduated from Jesuit High School in 1953 with a brotherhood of 41 classmates who would remain lifelong friends. Alex joined the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed in the Great Lakes, where he met his bride, Beverly, on a "switch" blind date in Port Huron, MI. Following his service in the Coast Guard, Alex attended community college and Sacramento State and pursued a career in mechanical engineering. The adhesive tape business took Alex and Beverly from homes in Michigan to Columbia, SC and to Florida and gave them the opportunity to travel all over the world. Alex was passionate in his love for his family, his Church, and his community. In his retirement years, he worked tirelessly to teach youth about his Catholic faith, to train altar servers, to organize golf tournaments to benefit youth and the needy in our local community, to improve and maintain his Timberlake community through the Architectural Review Board, to organize class reunions, and to lead with his fellow brothers in Christ in the Our Lady of the Lake Men's Club. His memberships also included the Elks Club, the American Legion and the Dutch Fork Choral Society. Alex loved people. He was the eternal optimist. He loved to sing tenor and to dance the jitterbug. He loved to cheer loudly at swim meets and graduations when he wasn't supposed to. He loved the Florida Gators. He loved the beach and shelling on the Florida gulf coast. And summers in Michigan with friends and family. He was a "rules guy." Alex never hesitated to speak his mind. In the words of Frank Sinatra, he did it "my way"! Alex will be deeply missed by his family. He was an encourager and a cheerleader, always wanting each of us to be the best we could be. He provided a tremendous example of loving and serving others. And of a deep faith and trust in God. Alex loved Christmas and all of our family traditions. This Christmas, he is in the arms of our Lord, in that special place prepared for him. Our family rejoices in the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, the reason for our hope in an eternal life for Alex. Services for Alex will include a visitation from 4 to 6 PM on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Chapin SC and a Funeral Mass will be conducted by the Rev. Dennis B. Willey at 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Inurnment with military honors will take place at a later date. To register for attending the service, please go to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church website to register to attend. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4FACAA2EA4FB6-funeral2 You do NOT have to register to attend the visitation on Wednesday. The family suggests memorials be made to Our Lady of the Lake Men's Club, 195 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin, SC 29036, or to the Chapin We Care Center, 1800 Chapin Rd, Chapin, SC 29036. Please feel free to share your words of comfort and condolence here on the tribute page at whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin, is honored to be serving the family. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4facaa2ea4fb6-funeral2