In Memory of Sergio Pugnoli

Sergio Pugnoli

Spouse: Iryna Myketchenko
Children: Christopher and Gabriel
Birthdate: October 10, 1955
Blessing: January 05, 1989
Ascension: April 13, 2022
Seonghwa Ceremony: June 11, 2022

A beloved brother, Sergio Pugnoli, made his transition to the eternal world on April 13, 2022 after a nearly two year struggle with multiple health issues.

Sergio was born in Milan, Italy on October 10, 1955. His father, Giovanni, served in the military while his mother, Sofia attended to the home and family. Sadly, Sergio’s father passed away when Sergio was not yet four years of age. He was sent to live with his grandparents in a small village near Lake Como while his older brother, Alberto, remained in the care of his mother in Milan. Sophia found caring for two small boys and working as a concierge challenging and felt Sergio would benefit from being in the small, tight knit community. Sergio returned to Milan when he was seven years old, as his grandparents were struggling to care for a growing, energetic boy.

Moving from the idyllic small village life to a bustling city like Milan was a bit of a shock. Although he had relatives and uncles in the area, he certainly missed the benefit of a stable father figure. After graduating high school, Sergio’s quest for a spiritual path became a needed journey to escape the materialistic and often drug-oriented lifestyle of many of his peers. He served Italy by joining the armed services for two years.

In 1983, Sergio joined the Unification Church in Varese, Italy. He spent time in Turin, Italy, where he participated in fundraising and witnessing for about four years before being asked to join other European members in coming to the United States in 1987. Sergio lived at a center in Stockton, CA and continued to fundraise and witness. He also worked extensively with ministers in the area.

Sergio later moved to Bush Street in San Francisco, where he continued to participate in UC activities. In 1988, the matching was held in New York City, where he was engaged. In 1989 he and his wife received the Blessing in Korea. His wife joined him in the Bay Area where they both worked at Project Volunteer in Oakland, CA and started their family life. In 1990, a son, Christopher, was born.

In 1992 the family moved to Tucson, AZ to be near his wife’s mother. Their second son, Gabriel was born in 1993. The family lived in Tucson, and occasionally traveled to Italy to visit Sergio’s family. Sergio and his wife participated in local UC activities in Tucson, occasionally traveling to Phoenix to attend Holy Days with the church there. The marriage was extremely challenging and eventually was dissolved after 14 years. He and his former wife developed an amicable relationship, and the sons frequently saw their father.

Sergio had strong sales skills and worked at a Toyota dealership in Tucson. He was introduced to a woman from Russia whom he later married. Their marriage lasted about 10 years. After his second marriage ended, he married Iryna Mykytchenko from Ukraine and took responsibility to co-parent Iryna’s daughter, Margherita.

Sergio was essentially an easy-going fellow and loved to prepare traditional Italian meals. He had diverse musical tastes and was a big soccer fan—he served as a soccer coach for Gabriel’s soccer team. Although he loved his native country, Sergio became a U.S. citizen. But his greatest pride and life’s accomplishment were his two sons, Christopher and Gabriel.

Seonghwa Ceremony

Date: June 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM MST
Location: 6902 E. Edgemont Street, Tucson, AZ 85710

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held as a small, intimate family and friends’ event on June 11th in Tucson, AZ. No formal Go Fund Me has been organized; the AZ Family Fed and the BAFC assisted with donations to help pay some of the funeral arrangements.

Any donation, however small, can be sent to Kate Pugnoli at 6902 E. Edgemont Street, Tucson, AZ 85710 and applied to the cost of the cremation, urn, flowers, and a meal for friends and family. Any remaining funds will be given to Sergio’s widow and sons.