Teresa Gambaro (Brisbane, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to take this opportunity to pay respects to Egidio 'Eddy' La Paglia from Paddington in my electorate of Brisbane, who passed away peacefully on 30 November 2013. Mr La Paglia was the patriarch of one of Australia's most well-known families. He was the beloved husband of Maria and a much-adored father to Anthony, Michael and Jonathan La Paglia. He is also a loving grandfather to Penelope, Bridget, Tilly and Lola.

Like my father, Mr La Paglia was an Italian immigrant—a fellow Calabrian, in fact. He made the incredible sacrifice of moving to Australia at the age of 18. He came to this country to build a better life not just for himself but for his whole family and for future generations. He raised his family in Adelaide and was an auto mechanic and a car dealer. No doubt Mr La Paglia could not have been more proud of his children, who grabbed the opportunities that this country had to offer with both hands. His eldest and youngest sons, Anthony and Jonathan, are two of Australia's most talented and successful Australian actors. Jonathan is also a qualified doctor—which, of course, is every Italian parent's dream! His middle son, Michael, proudly followed in his father's footsteps and is a car dealer in Los Angeles.

More importantly, Mr La Paglia was a warm, kind and charming man; a true gentleman whose dedication to family was always apparent, and my family had the absolute privilege of knowing him for many years. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the La Paglia family. Eddy, you will be forever in our hearts.