There are no words to convey my sympathies to the Goggio family. I hope nonetheless that you can take some solace in knowing that Ernie is in my heart and prayers, as well as in the hearts and prayers of the many friends you have at the University.
As former Emilio Goggio Chair in the Italian Department at the University of Toronto, I have met Ernie a few times.
I would like to share three memories in particular:
1) May 2014: during one of his visits, I arrange a meeting with Professors Julius Molinaro, Maddalena Kuitunen and Frank Iacobucci. This meeting was very much appreciated because he knew the professors and his father's colleagues when he was in Toronto.
2) I invited him in Toronto on the occasion of a honorary degree conferred to Roberto Benigni and his wife Nicoletta Braschi. I was a friendship at first sight and I was told he visited Benigni in Rome.
3) On the occasion of his 90th birthday, we send him a video congtatulating him. We also mailed him a picture a facsimile copy of the February 24, 1923 of the Globe and Mail, one of Canada leading newspapers. We also send him an original painting of Toronto Island, a place that he visited regularly (as he mentioned you us afterwards).
Rest in peace, Ernie.
Love you for everything you have done for my Department of for me.
Salvatore Bancheri
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