Francesco Giuseppe Laghi

1933 - 2021

The Laghi family is deeply saddened to announce the passing on July 1, 2021, of Francesco (Franco) Giuseppe Laghi, 87, of Hamilton. Franco was born in Azzano Decimo, Italy, on December 26, 1933, to Anselmo Laghi and Angela Laghi (nee, Bottos). Franco grew up in war-time and post-war Italy, where he first learned to dance, did what he could to support the family (sometimes even pilfering eggs) and working as a tinsmith. Like many other young Italian men at the time, he left his home country during the difficult years of the post war, but, when asked, said he left more for an adventure than to chart his future. Five years after arrival, he married his beloved wife, Anna Maria, in 1957, with whom he stayed married for 62 years, until she herself passed away in 2019. They had three children, Brian, Linda and Sandra, all of whom are married with children of their own. Franco found employment as a punch press operator in a Burlington factory, where he stayed for more than 30 years. In his spare time, he would often work with metal, creating small watering cans, intricate decorative items (once a little copper well, complete with bucket and pulley) and other such items. Like a lot of his friends, he made his own wine (half Canadian grapes, half California), ground up pork with his friends for home-made salami, fished for smelts off the Burlington pier and even hunted for frogs. He was a quiet guy, which often made what he said more memorable. When you heard a cardinal singing in the backyard, he would tell you to look up at the highest point of the tallest tree and there you would find him. And if a movie on TV was making you cry (and you wanted to turn it off), he would tell you that the best movies were the ones that made you weep. He was a smooth dancer, a keen observer of human nature and a picky eater. Luckily for him, Anna Maria was a spectacular cook. Due to circumstances caused by the coronavirus, the family wishes to hold a private funeral service only for immediate family. We would, however, like to thank those who made his last two years a little easier, especially his niece, Ennia, his cousin, Alfi, and his friends, Claudio and Rose, and the staff at St. Joseph's Villa. Franco is predeceased by his wife Anna Maria, his parents, Anselmo and Angela, and his siblings, Zulema, Zenie, Zita, Elsa, Rita, Toni and Arrigo. He leaves behind his children Brian (Julie), Linda (Malcolm) and Sandra (Mario). He will be deeply missed by his seven grandchildren, Sophie (Charlie), Harry, Callum, Ethan (Elise), Francesca, Isabella and Desiree, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours. Relatives and friends wishing to remember Franco can do so by writing a few lines at www.smithsfh.com. If desired, memorial contributions to St. Joseph's Villa, would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, STONEY CREEK (905-664-4222).