Sergio Campanini's Obituary
Sergio Campanini was called by God on January 18, 2025. He was 88. Sergio passed peacefully in Frisco, TX, with his family by his side, chorusing their love for him.
Sergio was born November 6, 1936, in Pieve di Cento, Italy, to Marino and Paola Campanini. The eldest of four brothers, Sergio lived in Bologna, Italy where he graduated from the University of Bologna with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He accepted a Fulbright Scholarship and attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He earned a Masters of Business Administration degree in 1962, where he met the love of his life, Charmaine. They recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. Sergio and Charmaine were married in Castel San Pietro, Italy, on September 8, 1962, where they then lived in Bologna. In 1965, they returned to the United States where they raised their children. In 1974, the family moved to Iola, Kansas to open a new facility for Berg Manufacturing, Inc. In 1981, he founded Hose America, Inc. and several related companies. These companies were consolidated and become known as Tramec, Inc., sold to MacLean-Fogg Company, and is now known as Tramec Sloan, LLC. He was active in the Iola community where he served on the boards of directors at Iola State Bank and Iola Industries, Inc., and as a Eucharistic Minister at St. John’s Catholic Church.
Sergio is remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and great-grandfather, as an entrepreneur and business executive, and as a devout Roman Catholic. He was adventurous, and enjoyed spending time with his family, sailing, and traveling. He was active in the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association industry trade group. A mechanical engineer, he held several US patents that revolutionized braking systems in the trucking industry. As President of Berg Manufacturing, he played a critical role in designing, developing, manufacturing–as well as setting safety standards for–heavy-duty anti-lock braking and electrical systems with the US Department of Transportation.
Sergio is survived by his devoted wife, Charmaine, of Plano, TX, his sons and their spouses Roberto and Jayne Campanini, of McKinney, TX, David and Cheryl Campanini, of Camdenton, MO, and Steven Campanini, of Irving, TX, 8 grandchildren (Christopher, Zachary, Nichole, Bailey, Shawn, Gemma, Isabella, and Ian) and 2 great-grandchildren (Shiloh and Mila), along with his brother Ugo Campanini, 2 nieces (Silvia and Maria Sole), 2 nephews (Marco and Andrea), 1 great-niece (Elisa), and 4 great-nephews (Alessandro, Andrea, Nicola, and Alessandro)–all of Bologna, as well as a brother-in-law Stanley Berg and 1 nephew (Joel), of Chicago. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marino and Paola Campanini, and his brothers Luciano Campanini and Marcello Campanini.
Funeral services will be held at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Community in McKinney, TX, followed by graveside interment at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/Sergio-Campanini
St. Gabriel's church is providing a virtual way to attend Sergio Campanini's funeral mass for those unable to attend in person. The link is: https://www.stgabriel.org/funerals-online
Event date: Friday Jan. 24, 2025
Event start time: 10:00 am CT
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