Deep condolences have been aroused in Collecchio by the passing of Augusto Dondi, 78 years old, a pensioner well known for having held important managerial roles in the past as director of production at Simonazzi, general director of Sasib and Sarcmi of Noceto, managing director of Simonazzi, of Manzini and Comaco and of Elettric ’80. His life was truly intense, dedicated to work, family and sport, he was a passionate runner. Order, methodicality and commitment were the strengths that led him to significant results in the workplace but also in sport. He graduated from the Polytechnic of Milan in mechanical engineering in 1970 and worked for Simonazzi until 2000.
A cultured and prepared person, he was appreciated for his professional skills but above all for his humanity and simplicity. «He was a man of character – his lifelong friends remember him – you knew you could count on him».
He was the protagonist of the great changes that affected the local mechanical industry. He remembered it in an interview given to the Gazzetta di Parma a few years ago: «In the 1980s – he explained – Simonazzi was the second largest bottling company in the world, after a German competitor. To understand the extent of the change – he said – just think that in the Seventies the filling machines were traveling at 12 thousand bottles an hour, today they exceed 120 thousand”.
An epochal change resulting from the technological and digital revolution that has changed the world. Having married the teacher Mina Boccaccio, who passed away prematurely in 2008, Augusto’s life was then brightened by the birth of his son Simone, his daughter-in-law Elisa and his grandchildren Francesco and Andrea. After retirement he passionately dedicated himself to running, also competing in the New York, Berlin and Chicago marathons. «I think – he said in the interview – that competing should not be an end in itself, but a way to face one’s limits». And the marathon engineer ran his latest challenge against the disease with great determination and dignity. His son Simone is heartbroken: «For me and my family he remains an example to look at every day for the strength and determination he has shown in facing the challenges and difficulties that life puts before you. His fighting and sporting spirit in the deepest sense of the term led him to join the Forrest Group of Parma. He also held the role of president of the Sporting Club from 2016 to 2022. The funeral is scheduled for tomorrow, starting from the funeral home of the Maggiore hospital at 2pm, reaching the parish church of Collecchio around 2.30pm.
Gian Carlo Zanacca
