Gazzetta mourns loss of Cannavò

By Gregor Brown

Candido Cannavò, former director of Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, passed away Sunday morning at 8:45 at the age of 78 in Milan's Santa Rita clinic. Doctors gave his condition as critical after he entered the clinic after suffering a brain haemorrhage last Thursday. Doctors stated cardiovascular arrest as the cause of death.

"Goodbye Director, we already miss you," stated the headline on La Gazzetta dello Sport. Born on November 29, 1930, in Catania, Cannavò held the position of director for 19 years, from 1983 to 2002, helping it become one of the most widely read sports newspapers in Europe.

He began a career in journalism in 1949 and in 1955 joined La Gazzetta dello Sport, as a correspondent. He became director 28 years later when he took over for Gino Palumbo. He received several awards during his career, including the Saint Vincent-Indro Montanelli in 2006 for his contributions to journalism.

"He was an extraordinary person. As a director he was very serious, but at the same time very human," Paolo Marabini, deputy editor of cycling at the paper, told Cyclingnews. "He remained close with us, even after 2002, eating lunch with us daily, even three days ago."

He leaves behind his wife Franca and three sons - Alessandro, Marilisa and Marco. The funeral will be Tuesday in Milan's San Pietro in Sala church.

Cyclingnews sends its condolences to Cannavò's family and the staff of La Gazzetta dello Sport.