Nigel mourns the loss of beloved community member
Tieghi would have celebrated his 90th birthday in July. He stayed in his house in Mike Odendaal street up until his passing.
Friends and family describe Luigi Tieghi as a friend, mentor, and hero who leaves a legacy of love in the community.
Tieghi died on April 12 at the age of 89.
He was born on July 24, 1935, in Eritrea and in 1962 he moved to South Africa with his wife Giovanna and his first child Marcella to live in Nigel.
Tieghi, known as Gino, was a young man eager to build a life in the countryside. He witnessed the town’s transformation, from dusty roads to modern developments, yet he remained unchanged, steadfast in his values, always ready with a hearty laugh or a helping hand.
In 1962, he was offered employment at a company in Nigel called PowerLines in Pretoriousstad and bought his first car and first house in Lavers Street.
In 1965, he moved to Union Carriage & Wagon Co. in Vosterskroon and worked his way up to the position of electrical inspector.
His second child Gianpaolo was born in 1963 and in 1973 Tieghi built a new house for his family in Mike Odendaal Street, Visagie Park.
His third child, Tiziana was born in 1973 and in the same year he changed employment and worked at Unimod where he travelled to many places within South Africa building pre-fabricated schools for the company till 1988.
At the end of 1988, he changed employment again and started working for Industrial Locomotive Services in Nigel where he worked until his retirement in 1999.
His wife Giovanna died in 2019 and he lived alone at his house in Mike Odendaal Street.
Tieghi loved his home and stayed there until his passing. He would have turned 90 this year.
“His passing left a deep void, but his legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew him,” said Marcella, his eldest daughter.
Tieghi is survived by his three children, their spouses, six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
