In Memoriam: Sergio Tagliavini, 80: co-founder, co-editor of Lo Specchio

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 2, 2016
Tim Kelly  

A pillar of the York Region media scene and the local Italian community has passed away.

Sergio Tagliavini Jellinek, co-founder and co-editor of Lo Specchio, the Italian-language weekly newspaper that started in Woodbridge 32 years ago, died on Monday, Jan. 25. He was 80.

Lo Specchio managing editor Giovanna Tozzi, who began working with Tagliavini back in 1973, said she will remember his, “frankness and honesty… a sense of humanity and compassion that are special, special gifts (he had) as a human being and as a professional.”

She said she feels, “more than obliged to continue, in a very, very humble way (Tagliavini’s) dialogue with the people.”

Rob Falbo, now business development manager at Metroland Media Toronto, began working for Lo Specchio back in the 1980s when he was just 19.

“He really was an institution. His readers would go up and talk to him and tell him their concerns. He really got his energy from young people,” said Falbo, who added, “Sergio was the youngest guy in the room in his thinking and his mentality.

“One of his biggest legacies was his passion for young people. He was definitely my mentor.”

Tagliavini was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1935 and grew up in Milan. He came to Canada in 1970 where he began his career in journalism. In 1973, he became editor of Corriere Canadese, Canada’s Italian-language daily newspaper, and produced public affairs programming for radio and TV shows for the Italian-Canadian community.

In 1984, Tagliavini co-founded Lo Specchio, turning the Vaughan weekly newspaper into an authoritative voice for the Italian-Canadian community.

Tagliavini was also a leader in that community, helping guide and lead the project for the Monument to the Italian Workers killed on the job. He received a number of achievement awards during his long career from Italy and Canada.

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua released a statement upon hearing for Tagliavini’s death.

“Sergio’s life was one of selfless service to the community. He embodied the values of honesty and decency and humility. He loved and believed in the important role the media plays in an open and democratic society.

His long list of accomplishments is a testament to his great capacity and willingness to serve. He will be missed, but his legacy will long live on. On behalf of my colleagues on council and the citizens of Vaughan, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

For Totti, the loss of her mentor and friend will have a lasting impact on her life and her job.

“He’s just been a maestro, a guide, a person that knows particularly how important the job was, not a profession, but a job,” she said.

Tagliavini leaves behind his wife Franca and daughter Simone. A private family only service, as per his wishes, has been held.