Praise for guards who tried to save ‘Cyclone’
A charismatic grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack at an Auckland Council-run pool, despite the efforts of lifeguards.
Pippo Gardi was in the spa when he had a sudden heart attack, triggering an emergency response from lifeguards on duty at Panmure YMCA on Tuesday.
They rushed to his aid, grabbed the pool’s defibrillator and gave him CPR but were unable to save the 82-year-old.
Gardi’s son Dino praised the efforts of the lifeguards and ambulance staff who worked on him for half an hour.
‘‘They did a terrific job,’’ he said. ‘‘They did all they could.’’
The defibrillator was considered a vital piece of kit at the centre and has been installed at every pool managed by Auckland Council.
In May the machine was credited with helping save the life of Zumba instructor Annie Tausi at Onehunga YMCA.
Dino Gardi said his father had been a regular gym visitor even in old age, and was very independent.
At his funeral service in Glendowie yesterday, Gardi was remembered as someone with a passion for life who loved history and travel.
A migrant in the aftermath of World War II, Gardi left Sicily aged 14 and hopped on a boat he thought was headed for New York.
Instead he ended up in Perth and faked his documentation to set up a life for himself, with the aid of the local Italian and Yugoslav community.
He moved to Sydney and became a boxer (nicknamed Cyclone) and later boxing manager, which took him around the world.
He met a New Zealand woman, Maria, and moved to Auckland in 1968 to start a family.
Dino said his father was a beloved man who always enjoyed keeping busy with his gardening or cooking, or telling stories.
‘‘He was charismatic, very Italian, very energetic and couldn’t sit still, always on the move.
‘‘We always said Dad had ants in his pants.’’
In the 1970s Gardi imported what was believed to be one of New Zealand’s
He was charismatic, very Italian, very energetic and couldn’t sit still, always on the move.
first cappuccino machines.
However, Customs had their suspicions and took six months to clear it.
‘‘He was horrified that they took so long to let him have the machine,’’ Dino said. ‘‘He got it sent over from Italy. ‘‘Customs I don’t think knew what it was, they thought it was a science experiment.’’
He set up Peppi’s Pizza in central Auckland in the 1990s with his son Marcello (the Symonds St restaurant is now the site of Gina’s Pizza).
He worked as a linesman for Telecom and a house painter, while maintaining his passion for gardening, where he grew everything from artichokes to avocado and citrus, basil and tomatoes.
Gardi is survived by three children Marina, Dino and Marcello and his five grandchildren.
Auckland Council leisure manager Rob McGee expressed sympathy for Gardi’s family, as well as those who were at the pool.
He said St John staff had praised the efforts of the pool staff to resuscitate Gardi.
The facility was temporarily closed and blessed prior to reopening.
‘‘Council and YMCA have also offered support to staff, contractors and anyone at the pool when the incident happened.’’
Dino Gardi