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Portrait of Luigi Gino Profera
In loving memory

Luigi Gino Profera

February 9, 1952 – May 17, 2025
Lived 73 years
North Lauderdale
Life story

Luigi Gino Profera, 73, of Port St. Lucie, FL, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on February 9, 1952, in Palermo, Sicily, Luigi was the beloved son of Francesca and Rosario Profera. He grew up alongside his cherished siblings, Francesca and John, and later moved to New York, where he met and married the love of his life, Josephine, in 1970. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising three children—Gino “Joey,” Gina, and Michael—and eventually welcoming eight adoring grandchildren: Janessa, Jeven, Nico, Devon, Vincent, Cruz, Kaden, and Jace.

Luigi dedicated over 25 years to a successful career in the sanitation industry, known for his strong work ethic and unwavering dedication. Beyond his career, Luigi was a man of great passion and heart. As a young adult, he fell in love with Martial Arts, a passion that he carried with him through life. After relocating to South Florida, he opened his own dojo, Dragon’s Den Martial Arts, where he mentored countless students and shared the mat with his sons. His lifelong commitment to Martial Arts was recognized in 1999 when he was proudly inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Luigi’s zest for life extended well beyond the dojo. He loved fishing and boating on Florida’s waters, had a fierce love for Bocce—always ready for a match at family gatherings or at his community clubhouse—and found peace in tending to his backyard garden. He was also a proud coin collector, a grill-master at every family BBQ, and a man with a sharp sense of humor and an even sharper sense of loyalty.

He will be remembered as humble, comical, and deeply devoted to his family. His love for vacationing with his wife, children, and grandchildren created cherished memories that will last forever. Luigi lived by the motto “family first,” and his iconic phrases—like “occhi vivo” and “Don’t f** with the family”*—perfectly captured his protective spirit and authentic nature.

Luigi’s legacy of love, loyalty, and laughter will live on in all who knew him.

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Photos
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Lifetime

The world Luigi knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1952
Born February 9
1959
Luigi was 7 when Barbie made her debut
1969
Luigi was 17 when the Woodstock music festival opened
1974
Luigi was 22 when Richard Nixon resigned the presidency
1982
Luigi was 30 when "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" opened in theaters
1997
Luigi was 45 when "Titanic" opened in theaters
2005
Luigi was 53 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2016
Luigi was 64 when Pokemon Go sent millions outdoors hunting creatures
2022
Luigi was 70 when ChatGPT was released to the public
2025
Passed away May 17, age 73
Tributes and memories

9 memories shared

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Joe Pro 11w

GG-Bo

🤌ohhhh !!

Photo shared by Joe Pro Photo shared by Joe Pro Photo shared by Joe Pro Photo shared by Joe Pro Photo shared by Joe Pro
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Joe Pro 11w

Miss you pop,,,,,,

today is Friday, 8/7/26 and I miss you more than ever.

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Nico Maggio 18w

Happy Heavenly Father’s Day💙

Hope your up there in Heaven playing bocce and hanging by the pool today!

Photo shared by Nico Maggio
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Chris Murphy 23w

Best friends " FOREVER "

Our last words together.

Photo shared by Chris Murphy
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Michael Profera 23w

Always with me!

Everywhere I go, every day that passes, you are always with me! Miss you, love you!

Photo shared by Michael Profera Photo shared by Michael Profera Photo shared by Michael Profera
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Michael Profera 23w

Nico boy

Nico boy hooked you up Pop!

Photo shared by Michael Profera
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Nico Maggio 23w

1 year without you💔

365 days later and It still doesn’t feel right that you are no longer here with us. Continue to look down and be with each of us every day. Love you Pop 💚🤍❤️

Photo shared by Nico Maggio
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Jace Profera 23w

poppy

best grandpa

Photo shared by Jace Profera Photo shared by Jace Profera Photo shared by Jace Profera Photo shared by Jace Profera Photo shared by Jace Profera Photo shared by Jace Profera Photo shared by Jace Profera
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Joe Pro 23w

Gi Gi Bo

My pop’s.

Photo shared by Joe Pro Photo shared by Joe Pro
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