Luigi Malagisi

Luigi Malagisi, known to his family and friends as Louie or Lou, long time resident of Port Charlotte, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, January 4, 2020. He was born in Stamford, CT on January 27, 1968, son of Anthony Malagisi and Lucia D’Arpino Malagisi, and moved to Port Charlotte, FL in his youth in 1976. He graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 1986. Louie proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War and was stationed in Germany. During his tour in the Army, Louie received the Department of the Army Achievement Medal, for his “Superior Performance” in completing a multi-day task on a short-handed team, achieving the fastest time recorded in U.S. Army history. Upon completing his service, Louie returned home and worked for Waste Management. He seemed to never stop, running his routes and helping others with theirs. He used to joke that this was how he watched his weight. Upon starting his family, Louie embarked on a new venture of learning the craftsmanship of ceramic tiling. As an amateur artist, Louie would design stunning fountains, in which he would replicate the fountain out of glass and ceramic tiles. Though creating the fountains was just a hobby, occasionally people would see them and request that he create a fountain for them. He also created stunning mosaic tile pieces. In 2003, Louie accomplished a lifelong dream of opening up his own business, Murdock Tile, Inc. in Port Charlotte, FL. He took enormous pride in his career and in 2011 co-partnered with Todd Harper opening his storefront, Murdock Flooring.

Louie had a HUGE heart and gave a helping hand to anyone in need. He was known for his funny stories and making people laugh. His smile could light up a room and just seeing it would make anyone smile. Louie loved being outdoors, from spending Christmas in Colorado, cutting down the family Christmas tree, to fishing in the Colorado rivers and Florida Gulf, taking his boat to the beach for the day with his family, or just swimming in his pool with his children. He used to joke that when he fished in Colorado, he felt like he was cheating because he could easily see the fish in the water. It was his happy place. Louie was a very creative individual, who was forever coming up with ideas and even had one of his inventions patented. He had a passion for sketching and writing. His favorite holiday was Christmas, with decorating, driving to find beautiful light displays, and the celebration of family at a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner.

In addition to being survived by his parents, he is survived by his children, Nicholas Malagisi of Englewood, FL. Anthony, Alexis, and Luciano Malagisi of Gainesville, FL, Dana Malagisi, former spouse and mother to his four children, Englewood, FL. Also surviving Louie are his sisters, Anna Rispoli (Michael) of Greenwich, CT, Lisa Demay of Nokomis, FL, Margaret Craig (Robert) of Punta Gorda, FL, his brother Pat Malagisi (Julie) of Punta Gorda, FL, several nieces and nephews, and life long friends, Julie Birth and Tony Johnstone (Cynthia) of Port Charlotte, FL.

Visitation will be held at Kays Ponger Funeral Home located at 2405 Harbor Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 2 pm – 4 pm and again from 6 pm – 8 pm.

Mass will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church located at 21505 Augusta Ave, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 11:00 am, followed by a Military Burial at Sarasota National Cemetary, located at 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Luigi Malagisi.