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Title: A Life Well-Lived: Piero Aresi, Beloved Pharmacist and Bergamo Icon, Passes Away
In the heart of Bergamo, there existed a charming farmacia, where for almost three decades, the warm smile and welcoming demeanor of Piero Aresi, affectionately known as Pierino, greeted every visitor. Sadly, this beloved figure has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that transcended the walls of the pharmacy and touched the hearts of countless Bergamaschi.
Piero Aresi, at the age of 90, left us last week, but his spirit and impact will linger on in the memories of those whose lives he touched. His journey was not without obstacles; in 2012, he faced an emorragia cerebrale, a battle he bravely fought and ultimately survived, though it left him confined to a wheelchair. Yet, Piero’s resilience was unshaken, and his wit and kindness remained unchanged, making him the cherished figure he always was.
Before his tenure at the pharmacy, Piero Aresi was an integral part of Bergamo’s history. He was employed at the municipio’s technical office and prior to that, worked at the Dalmine factory for 14 years. His service in the Marina saw him travel to La Spezia and Castellammare di Stabia, with one memorable visit to the Pompei excavation site in 1954 where he encountered the girl who would later become his wife.
Their union in 1957 bore three beautiful children – Paolo, Claudio, and Massimiliano. Piero’s passions were as vibrant as his personality – he was an avid cycling enthusiast and an unyielding supporter of his hometown’s football club, Atalanta. His love for Fausto Coppi was well-known, and he often shared the exciting tale of their chance encounter after a Trofeo Baracchi event. His first Atalanta game was in the 1941-42 season, and his last was the momentous clash against Real Madrid, which he followed from his hospital bed.
The pharmacy on Via Verdi was more than just a place to buy medicine under Piero’s watch. It was a meeting point, a source of comfort, and a lifeline to many who found solace in his warm words, small acts of kindness, and even the occasional coffee or discounted medication. Together with his son Paolo, a former colleague at L’Eco di Bergamo, and his niete Carla and Graziella, Piero also authored a book about Bergamo in the 50s, further cementing his place in the city’s history.
The passing of Piero Aresi leaves a void that seems impossible to fill, yet the warmth he radiated continues to echo through the hearts of those he touched. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family – wife Anna, sons Paolo, Claudio, and Massimiliano, and all of their familiare.
