LEGNANO – Some unexpected news has shocked the world of the Palio today. He passed away suddenly at the age of 77 Roberto “Chicco” Clericiin the past Captain And Grand Prior from the Contrada San Magnofor years a point of reference regarding the historical parade and the Permanent Costumes Commission.
For the “Nobile” he won the Palios of 1967 and 1990 as Captain, obtaining the “tris” in 2011 wearing the black cloak of Grand Prior, while from 1990 to 1992 he held the role of Knight of the Carroccio. Chicco was also a cousin of the well-known television presenter from Legnano Antonella Clerics.
“The world of the Palio with Chicco loses a piece of its history, one of the last true men of the Palio – commented the Director of Sport Legnano Gianfranco Zottino – His passion for our event and his great experience have contributed to raising the Historical Parade to its current levels of excellence, the true flagship of the Legnano Palio.”
Among the first messages of condolence, that ofMunicipal Administration: “The mayor Lorenzo Radice, the councilor with delegation to the Palio Guido Bragato and the entire council express their condolences for the death of Roberto Clerici, awarded civic merit in 2022 with the following motivation: “for having actively collaborated with numerous Legnano realities covering organizational and managerial roles, always making the experience, skills and knowledge acquired in various work opportunities available in every area”.
Even the Mayor Lorenzo Root wanted to remember the well-known man of Palio: “I have met many people in these years as mayor and I can say that Roberto Clerici was one of the most passionate lovers of the Legnano tradition that I had the fortune and pleasure of knowing. Creative in everything he imagined and created, Clerici has always demonstrated a love for the city’s history and culture, as well as a truly unique aesthetic taste. With him the City of Legnano loses a personality who, in various fields, from associationism to the Palio to sport, has always acted with great ability and passion, qualities of which he gave ample proof even on the last occasion in which he collaborated with the municipal administration within the Committee for the Centenary of Legnano Città. Clerici was one of the most proactive members of the Committee and he was responsible for the idea of holding the exhibition dedicated to Gianfranco Ferrè which we will host in the Sala degli Stemmi starting in September. But I also want to remember his requests to return to taking our Palio and the name of Legnano outside the borders, as we did last February with the episode at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. We will have the opportunity to remember him publicly in the next Centenary events. Deepest condolences to his family“.
“The President Gianfranco Bononi, the Ragiù Giuseppe Colombo and the management of the Family join the loved ones of Roberto Chicco Clerici. “Roberto was an eminent man from Legnano, a great Palio man and a brotherly friend. We will miss him very much“, these are the words of the president Bononi.
Condolences also expressed by Palio Foundation: “The Board of Directors of the Palio Foundation and the Knight of the Carroccio Andrea Monaci express their closeness to the family and friends of the past Knight of the Carroccio, Captain and non-regent Grand Prior of the Nobile Contrada San Magno, Roberto -Chicco- Clerici.”
“We are disconcerted, shocked – were the words of Carolina And Francis ToiaMunicipal Councilors of Legnano – ‘Il Chicco’ has been (and always will be) a very important pillar for Legnano. Figure of marked culture and rare sensitivity. Always smiling, available and ready to make his enviable knowledge available. We will miss you so much Chicco. May the earth be light on you.”
“The Regency, the Council and the entire green and white Contrada join in the pain of the San Magno Contrada, for the loss of the non-regent Captain and Grand Prior Roberto “Chicco” Clerici.
Great man and important figure in the history of the Palio di Legnano, who also held the position of Deputy Grand Master.
We extend our deepest condolences to all the family members.”
“The Oratorio delle Castellane and the Grand Dame of Grazia Magistrale express their closeness to the family and friends of Roberto -Chicco- Clerici. Chicco,
historic founder of the Castellane Oratory, he will forever remain in our memory as a great man of the Palio.”
