by Nina Vaclavikova
The city of Trieste has announced plans for a public farewell to Giorgio Rossi, the longtime municipal councilor who died this week at the age of 78 after more than two decades in local government.
In agreement with Rossi’s family, city officials said a public viewing will be held on Friday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the City Council Chamber at Trieste’s Municipal Palace on Piazza Unità d’Italia. Residents and public officials will have the opportunity to pay their respects before the funeral procession departs for the city’s Cathedral of San Giusto.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon by Don Ettore Malnati. Following the service, Rossi’s coffin will be taken to the cemetery in Opicina for burial.
The city’s ceremonial banner will be displayed in the council chamber during the viewing, while officers of the Trieste Local Police, wearing full ceremonial dress, will stand guard and accompany the funeral procession from City Hall to the cathedral and later to the cemetery.
Born in Umag on Oct. 9, 1947, Rossi moved to Trieste as a child with his family after they left Istria in the postwar period. Trained as a building surveyor, he built a successful career as a construction entrepreneur before entering politics in the early 2000s.
His political career was closely associated with Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, with whom he shared a longstanding friendship. Over more than 20 years in municipal government, Rossi held several senior positions within the city administration.
He served as councilor for public works from 2001 to 2006, followed by a term overseeing education from 2006 to 2011. After serving on the Provincial Council, he returned to the municipal executive in 2016 as councilor responsible for sports, culture and youth affairs, a position he held until 2021.
In the current Dipiazza administration, Rossi was appointed councilor for culture and tourism, remaining in office until his sudden death.
City officials said members of the public wishing to attend the public viewing will be able to enter the Municipal Palace from Piazza Unità d’Italia.
