Silvagni passed away on Thursday morning surrounded by family, after facing multiple health conditions.

The eminent footballer was born in Carlton in 1938, the son of Giacomo and Antonia Silvagni – Italian migrants from Asiago in the Veneto region. 

Wearing the No.1 guernsey, Silvagni played 239 games for Carlton between 1958 and 1971, captained the club and was also a long-serving committee member and selector following his retirement.

Throughout his career, he kicked 136 goals, winning two premierships in 1968 and 1970.

He also won two best and fairest awards, the first of which saw him poll in 19 of a possible 22 games in 1962.

Silvagni was named in Carlton’s Team of the Century and formally inducted as a club legend in 2016.

He was the first of three generations of Silvagnis to play for Carlton, as the father of Blues champion and AFL Team of the Century full-back, Stephen, who played 312 games for the club, and the grandfather of current club forward, Jack, who now wears the No.1 guernsey.

Silvagni is also the grandfather of former Carlton player, Ben, who spent two years at the club after being drafted in 2018.

Carlton president Mark LoGiudice payed tribute to Silvagni on Thursday as the AFL community mourned his death.

“Sergio was and always will be a legendary Carlton person,” LoGiudice said in a statement.

“He was such an important figure to many Carlton supporters growing up during the 1960s, particularly those who had migrated to Australia and could instantly identify with one of their heroes.

“He would go on to become one of our greatest ever players and his impact on the club will forever hold a significant place in our history books.

“On and off the field he embodied what it means to be a Carlton person and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Carlton Football Club journalist and historian Tony De Bolfo shone a light on Silvagni’s legacy.

“Sergio Silvagni was born in Carlton, lived in Carlton and played for Carlton,” De Bolfo told Il Globo.

 “One could mount a reasonable argument that none was more Carlton than him.

“For the many Italians trying to find a way in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Silvagni name served as a lightning rod.

“Supporting a football team is a non-negotiable in Melbourne – and for the Italians back then it was Carlton by way of Silvagni (and later Ron Barassi).

“When Serge first played, Carlton’s powers that be couldn’t pronounce his name; today, ‘Silvagni’ is as much a part of the Australian Rules vernacular as ‘chewy on your boot’.

“A true legend of the Carlton Football Club, and the patriarch of perhaps football’s greatest dynasty, Sergio Silvagni’s legacy will endure for as long as there is a Carlton.”

Silvagni is survived by wife Rita, son Stephen and three daughters Lisa, Danielle and Michelle.

The Blues will honour Silvagni by wearing black armbands in this Sunday’s game against Collingwood at the MCG.