"I'm very happy about the celebration; we're family." A few words, spoken with his usual simplicity and clarity, suffice to convey the spirit with which Francesco Cogoni, born in Pirri on February 10, 1926, blew out his first 100 candles.
A special evening, spent at the Cral CTM, surrounded by loved ones and a community that continues to recognize him as a point of reference.
Married his whole life to 95-year-old Lucia Cossu, he has built a close-knit family with her, consisting of his children, Virginia and Attilio. They have never left Pirri, where they were born and raised, and where they have chosen to remain, preserving their roots.
Throughout his life as a blacksmith for the Sardinian Railways, Mr. Cogoni also cultivated a passion for the countryside, diligently tending the family land. A lover of cycling and opera, he was a dynamic, tireless man. Until a few years ago, he still worked alone in his garden, a sign of the energy that had accompanied him for almost a century.
"A good father, very devoted to his wife and children," his second-born son, Attilio, recalled during the celebration. This affection was also reciprocated by his three grandchildren: Federico, Virginia's son, and Arianna and Francesco, Attilio's children, the latter named after their grandfather.
The birthday also provided an opportunity for public recognition. The cultural association "Pirri: Ancient Stories of My Country" awarded Francesco a plaque making him an honorary member, in recognition of his dedication and support for the association's activities over the years.
The evening also saw the participation of Giulia Andreozzi, Councilor for Public Education, Support for Study and Knowledge of the Municipality of Cagliari, who presented the new centenary with the medal and parchment of the Cagliari Municipal Administration. She was joined by Maria Laura Manca, President of the Municipality of Pirri.
(Unioneonline)
