TREVISO – «The city does not simply lose an innkeeper, but a real institution». Mayor Mario Conte doesn’t know what words to use to comment on the death of Ovidio Gobbo, 76 years old, who spent 37 years behind the counter of the “Gigia” in Vicolo Barberia together with his friend, colleague (and brother-in-law) Sandro. Treviso loses a piece of its history, of its joy, one of the hosts par excellence. Ovidio loses, his charge of sympathy, his humanity, the incredible ability to churn out mental calculations at very high speed, the inventor (together with Sandro) of the “mozza” par excellence, of etc., of all those cicchetti entered in the collective imagination of entire generations. “See you at Gigia, Sandro and Ovidio”: there was no need to say anything else to make an appointment. Everyone knew, and knows, where it is. Yesterday morning, when the news of Ovid’s passing spread, a veil of sadness fell over the city. Everyone realized that they had lost something irrecoverable: “I am aware – says daughter Martina with a note of emotion – that I have always shared my dad with the entire city”.
Ovidio Gobbo, who was he?
Ovid had been ill for some years. In the last three days his condition worsened and he was hospitalized at Ca ‘Foncello, where he died: «The last three months – admits Martina – were a gift, by now he was very ill». Sandro Valiera, his lifelong colleague, was so shaken yesterday that he didn’t want to talk. But when he talked about Ovidio he described him like this: «I can say that Ovidio was, and is, the ideal partner, I know that he always gives his best. And I’m sure he thinks the same thing about me.” A partnership that lasted almost fifty years. Before taking over Gigia in 1982, a tavern that has existed in Vicolo Barberia since the second half of the nineteenth century and which still retains the name of a historic owner worthy of the Sixties, Sandro and Ovidio managed a small wax factory not far from the Walls. They produced candles for churches: «We had a small factory in Selvana, but a fire destroyed everything. We were stuck for a year before we figured out what to do. Then this opportunity happened”, Sandro always said. And it all started from there. from candles, to mozza. With them the myth of the “Gigia” was reborn. And when Sandro and Ovidio handed over management in 2019, everyone understood that an era was coming to an end. «Dad Ovidio – says Martina – was at home just as you saw him behind the counter. Always cheerful, ironic, ready with a joke. It was always a pleasure to be with him. Had he become a symbol of the historic center? I think so. I am aware of having shared it with all the kids from Treviso.”
The memory
«It’s news that saddens me a lot – continues Conte – with Ovid a piece of our history is gone. At the Osteria Dalla Gigia in Via Barberia, alongside Sandro Valiera, he pampered thousands of people from Treviso and beyond, becoming an institution and a symbol of “Trevigianity”, that way of hosting and involving which is characteristic of our community. Ovidio was a discreet and kind man who managed, with his manners, courtesy and professionalism, but above all his love for his profession, for the customer and for quality, to promote our city as an experience to be lived, making the innkeeper a reference and a friend. I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and those who loved him.” Many fellow traders wanted to remember him: «Hello Ovidio – underlines Roberto Vasconetto, owner of the oldest shop in the center – I knew you since I started working in the shop with dad, I will remember you for your kindness, for the mozza, the shock della Barberia and the legendary detective story! A hug”. Social media was filled with greetings, memories and emotion. Paolo Pavan, professor at Ca’ Foscari, speaking under the mayor’s post, found poignant words: «A person I will never forget, the best years of my life and the most beautiful memories, he is always there. Hi Ovidio, if we see…. In the meantime he teaches the angels how to cut them off, sooner or later they will come back.” Ovidio leaves behind his daughters Martina and Lorenza and his wife Margherita. The funeral has not yet been scheduled.
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TREVISO – «The city does not simply lose an innkeeper, but a real institution». Mayor Mario Conte doesn’t know what words to use to comment on the death of Ovidio Gobbo, 76…
