(ANSA) - PERUGIA, FEBRUARY 21 - A Perugia shirt and scarves on the coffin, the emotion of family and friends in the church, then at the exit the white-red smoke bombs typical of the stadium to bid farewell to Ilario Castagner, the coach of the Perugia of miracles died on Saturday at the age of 82.
The funeral was held in the church of San Giovanni Battista in Ferro di Cavallo and was attended by many people.
A long applause accompanied the arrival of the coffin in the "John Paul II" churchyard, where a big screen was positioned.
With Castagner's face and his "most beautiful smile in Italian football" as his son Federico had written on Fb announcing his disappearance.
In church, next to his wife Liliana, his closest family and friends, were the mayor Andrea Romizi and the councilor Luca Merli, the city's standard bearer (in 2012 Castagner was entered in the city's roll of honour) and the Perugia football with the president Massimiliano Santopadre.
Before the celebration, some memories were read, including that of Giulia, one of Castagner's six grandchildren.
"Grandpa, you continue to be present in all of us. You will always be my hero," she said.
Her sister-in-law Nicoletta also read a memoir.
Then Father Mauro Angelini, chaplain of Perugia and a great fan of the griffins, took the floor.
Among the many present were Grazia Ceccarini, wife of Antonio, then Nappi, Vannini, Malizia, Dal Fiume and Novellino, as well as the children of D'Attoma and Ghini and the historic masseur Luchini.
Both inside and outside the church, many fans who, with the red and white scarf around their necks, wanted to greet the Perugia coach of miracles.
(HANDLE).