This is one of those posts that no one in this hobby wants to make. Please read my review of Giovanni Lopergolo's Insight that I wrote for Father's Day last year, and consider purchasing the book. The proceeds from its sale benefit a foundation for his three sons. He was an amazing artist, and the world is just a little less scenic today.

Giovanni (Gianni) Lopergolo (1970 - 2011)

RIVERSIDE, RI - Giovanni (Gianni) Lopergolo died Thursday evening (January 27, 2011) after a 3 and 1/2 year struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was 40 years old.

Gianni was born in Newburgh, New York on February 21, 1970. He graduated from Marlboro High School in 1988, attended NYU Tisch School for the Arts and is a graduate of SUNY at New Paltz.

He was employed as a photographer and cinematographer at Hasbro Toy Company in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His book, INSIGHT: Photography and Dioramas by Gianni Lopergolo was published by Hasbro in 2009.

Gianni is survived by his wife, Alexandra and his three boys, Matteo (8), Massimo (3), and Marco (3), who reside in Riverside, Rhode Island. Gianni is also survived by his parents Emanuele and Francesca Lopergolo of Marlboro, New York, his sister, Sara Lopergolo and her husband Edward Wood of New York, New York, and his brother Domenico Lopergolo of New York, New York.

He is also survived by his loving aunts Chiara Grilli, Anna Lopergolo, Filomena Nicoletti, Nancy DeQuarto and nieces and nephews Chiara Bennett, Sara and Mika.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to either The Gianni Lopergolo College Fund, 19 Plum Road Riverside, RI 02195 or The Gianni Lopergolo Arts Scholarship to be given to a graduating Marlboro High School Senior showing excellence and interest in the Arts, specifically in photography, 211 Old Post Road, Marlboro, NY 12542.

Visitation will be held at the Funeral Home on Sunday 3 to 7, Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday 10AM at St. Mary's Church, Marlboro, NY, and entombment on Monday at Cedar Hill Mausoleum.

Arrangements were entrusted to Carl J.DiDonato, Jr and Lawrence M. Cavazza of the DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc.