Obituary: Geraldton ‘IT Man’ Sergio Infanti is farewelled

Well-known Geraldton businessman Sergio Vladimir Infanti died in Perth last month.

Mr Infanti was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on September 9, 1944, the first child of Paul and Miranda Infanti.

The Maltese-Italian family migrated to Australia when Sergio was six years old, settling in Victoria.

After high school, Mr Infanti trained as a turner, fitter, instrument maker and electrician, working at a Melbourne munitions factory and later at Ford.

He married Susan in 1965 and had his first child, Anthony.

The family moved to Geraldton, where his second child, Natalie, was born.

After completing night studies to convert his Victorian electrician’s licence to the WA equivalent, he worked at Garland and Johnson, eventually becoming a partner in the business.

He met his best friend Stephen May during this time and became an active member of Junior Council, a leadership group for young people.

Mr Infanti and Susan separated in the early 1980s.

Through Junior Council he met Christine Johnson and they married in October, 1982.

Miranda was born in 1985 and Paul in 1987.

Mr Infanti started his own business, Sergio’s Electrics and Electronics, after leaving Garland and Johnson and was enthusiastic about the new personal home computer craze of the late 1980s.

He also worked for McKeatings Business Equipment until 1998 when he returned to running his own business full-time.

His maroon Kia Carnival with the number plates “IT MAN” was a common sight around Geraldton, the plates later appearing on a grey Mercedes as he drove with his favourite dachshund Jay.

“Jay passed away a month before Sergio at 16 years of age. We like to think that he will be waiting by the pearly gates when Dad arrives,” his daughter Miranda said.

“Dad was well known for his irreverent sense of humour, compassion and willingness to do anything for a friend.”

Mr Infanti is survived by his brother Alan, wife Christine, children Anthony, Natalie, Miranda and Paul, and grandchildren Kallum and Gabreyal.

The family had a small funeral in Perth and plans to hold a memorial service in Geraldton in September.