A ‘good man’: Community says goodbye to Sudbury councillor who went missing

The late Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini was remembered by the officiant at his March 2 funeral as a “really, really good man,” who cared very much for his community.

“Michael was somebody who went out there and risked and did what he thought was right, no matter what was going on,” said Rev. Bob Bourgon, the former bishop of Hearst-Moosonee.

“That's a virtue, believe it or not. To be able to correct what he knew was not correct, and do it, knowing that he might be criticized and attacked, that is a gift. That's what Michael did, over and over and over again.

“When he was convinced, when he knew something was right, when he knew that he needed to stand up, that's what he did. He told the truth as he saw it. 

“Now, that doesn't mean that he was always right. Don’t get me wrong, nobody is correct all the time. But he did get out there and risk it.”

St. Pius X Church in Lively was at capacity for the mass, which was attended by friends, family, emergency services personnel and local politicians, including Mayor Paul Lefebvre, several of Vagnini’s fellow city councillors and Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe.

The funeral featured an honour guard of firefighters and Knights of Columbus members, the latter organization presenting Vagnini’s family with a certificate expressing their condolences.

Two Greater Sudbury city council members have died recently.

On Feb. 13, Vagnini was located deceased at a seasonal property on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation after being reported missing by his concerned family a few weeks before, sparking a large community search effort. 

His obituary states his death was from “natural causes.”

Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier then died at Health Sciences North on Feb. 21. His funeral was held last weekend.

The March 2 funeral for the 62-year-old Vagnini was a Roman Catholic liturgy in celebration of his faith tradition, with remarks only from Rev. Bourgon.

A celebration of life for Vagnini will take place March 23 in the upstairs hall at the Walden arena, during which there will be remarks from family and friends, as well as music. Because the seating will be tight, the service will also be livestreamed.

Bourgon said he has known the Vagnini family for many years, and Michael since he was “in diapers.”

He said Michael’s father, Tony, also a local politician, was flamboyant and colourful, as was his son after him, although Michael took it to the next level. 

“Some of the clothes he wore, I’m telling you,” said Bourgon, referring to Vagnini’s penchant for colourful, sparkly jackets, eliciting laughs from the crowd.

“Michael wanted to be his father, and more,” he said. “He wanted to be listened to.”

But there was more going on behind Vagnini’s flamboyance, “and the ability to stand behind his faults and his failings, which many of us know, were becoming more and more evident, and his challenges and struggles.”

Bourgon said Vagnini was insecure, especially when facing public criticism.

He said people saw Vagnini’s “flashy” public persona, “but we didn’t see the price he paid,” pointing out that many attending the funeral were also those who serve their community, whether as emergency personnel or politicians.

At times, they may feel misunderstood or taken for granted, Bourgon said.

He encouraged people to look at others “a little more charitably,” looking at “not only the weaknesses, but the strengths, courage, the hurt, and the price each of us have to pay to do the work of God. Because when you do the will of God, it’s not easier, it’s harder.”

Vagnini did what he did “partly because he needed to, but also because God asked him to,” Bourgon said. 

The priest reassured the mourners that “Michael’s death is not the end,” as death means “walking into the arms of God.”

Vagnini was born Sept. 1, 1961 in the town of Creighton Mine, Ont. to parents Anthony and Patricia (Cayen) Vagnini. He spent 40 years in the financial sector, and was serving his third term as the city councillor for Ward 2. 

His obituary said he was the “beloved father, mentor, and best friend to daughters Alison Vagnini and Erin Vagnini (Michael), and the proud Nonno to his beautiful granddaughter Adora.” He is “deeply missed” by Leslie Vagnini, with whom he shared these two daughters. 

He is “lovingly missed” by partner Janie Galipeau and her daughters Peyton and Paige, and his canine friends Luna and Winston. 

Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.