Carmelo Fucarino passed away in Palermo. He was a teacher of Latin and Greek language and literature at the Garibaldi high school from 1980 to 1997. A great scholar, he loved poetry and published poems and made contributions to magazines in the Italian literary sector, carrying out a wide and continues to work as an essayist in the field of classical studies. He has expanded his field of investigation with ethnology and Sicilian popular traditions, never stopping his research work.
For this reason, today, the world of Palermo culture loses an important point of reference: many remember him as an intellectual with whom it was a privilege to interact, a man of profound culture, curious, full of resources. He was born in Prizzi, where the community defines him as “an enormous example of a man of culture”. In these hours there are dozens of messages shared on social media dedicated to Fucarino. In Palermo he was well known and respected: «I accidentally learned of the passing of dear professor Carmelo Fucarino – writes Fabio Cannizzaro who was, in the first half of the 1980s, my adored and respected teacher at the Garibaldi classical high school. According to the incessant flow of life, a part of me also disappears with Professor Fucarino, of my memory and why not of my youth. I remember of him not only the indisputable, immense preparation but also the important life lessons that he generously offered to me and to many others and other companions. I think I’m not saying something unknown if I say that my becoming a teacher also partly depends on his example. In greeting you, Professor Fucarino, the fideistic conviction remains in me that you are now in Hades alongside your loved ones but also with many heroes and poets, arm in arm who knows with Odysseus, Achilles or Prometheus and that you will weave lovely discussions between them now with Hesiod now with Pindar or even with Euripides or Aristophanes. Have a good trip, professor, and know that I will miss him.” Girolamo Randisi writes: «he was a great man, one of the best teachers he has known».
And again, another memory from Prizzi: «Today a prominent figure of Prizzi culture, Professor Carmelo Fucarino, left us. I won’t add anything else, just an immense thank you from all the Prizzese citizens for whom I humbly act as spokesperson. Rest in peace Professor.” Gino Pantaleone adds: «Have a good trip, professor. Your poems, your essays, your articles in La Voce di New York and in the Lions Palermo dei Vespri magazine, kept me company. You chose one of my poems to include in a CD of poems recited by Laura Efrikian, I won’t forget it. You have presented my essays to me several times with great knowledge and competence, I will not forget anything about you, just as I will not forget your lessons in an always elegant and feeble but incisive voice, your kind, cultured being without ever giving yourself airs. I send you a big hug and have a good trip.”
