PIETRASANTA. He passed away at first light today, Saturday 27 December, Giancarlo Bertoni67 years old, said “Small pan“for his friends, a nickname that he inherited from his grandfather and which he carried with him throughout his life. Footballer, coach, hard worker, caring husband, exemplary father, affectionate grandfather, friend of all, generous in his approach to life. An illness that gave him no escape, which every day takes something away from you, took him away in three months. Last summer he was on holiday with his wife Antonella, two months ago he was still driving the van. He lived a life for others and with others: for his family, first and foremost, who never lacked for anything, first and foremost the teachings and affection, for the friends with whom he always entertained and with whom he never missed a joke.
Football and beyond
Cheerful, lively, ironic, but also capable of as much love as the one he left in all those who played football with him. Born in ’58, at a very young age he began to distinguish himself at Don Bosco, before arriving at Peretola, which selected players for Turin, and the following year he moved to the Fiorentina Primavera, where he had arrived as the best talent of his year and where he would remain for a few years. Head held high, imposing physique, magical foot, he enchanted with the ball and was the soul of the locker room. His debut at a professional level will be with Viareggio in the time when young people did not play for their identity card, but for their talent. He will then arrive in Pietrasanta before choosing the minor leagues to be close to his family and to combine football with work. He will go to Ponte and Cappiano, before going to Butese where he will stay for four seasons building indissoluble bonds.
His debut on the bench will be with Don Bosco who saw him grow, then there will be rapid promotions with Versiliese, successes with the Pietrasanta junior team coaching his son Giacomo, a talented goalkeeper, who inherited his father’s open character, love for family and football, and support for Juventus. Last years on the bench with Alta Versilia, Retignano and Montagna Seravezzina, then goodbye to the changing rooms, the muddy fields, the shoes, but never football.
The messages and the condolences
Giancarlo Bertoni was something more than a footballer: he was a capital man, someone who was not content with being happy himself with his family: he gave so much to his friends at work and to all those who crossed his path. The municipal administration of Pietrasanta with the mayor Alberto Giovannetti remembers him as president of the Pietrasanta association “Azzurra”, «a point of reference for local volunteering, he made his time and energy available to the Pietrasanta community, offering a significant contribution to the growth of solidarity initiatives promoted by the association with the distribution of food parcels and basic necessities to families in difficulty. Bertoni was also president of the Il Tiglio/La Beca district, taking an active part in the life of popular traditions and in the activities of the Pietrasanta Carnival.”
The senator also remembers it Massimo Mallegni as an “example of generosity, civil commitment and a profound sense of responsibility towards the community”, but also as a “great sportsman, who served our company Ersu with dedication and commitment, and was an excellent husband and an exemplary father”.
“Tegamino” was all these things, with his hoarse voice, his quick wit, his attachment to the life he lived to the full: he only gave up when he feared he could no longer be all he was, when an enemy that was too strong began to take away everything he loved and that attached him to life. On his coffin is a photo from this summer of him having a smiling aperitif with his beloved wife Antonella and a Juventus scarf to remember his passion for football and his magic on the pitch, which were many, but only a small part of Bertoni.
The last farewell
The relatives want to thank the Versilia healthcare staff who did their utmost to ensure that Giancarlo could make it sooner and that the transition was as painless as possible. The funeral will take place on Monday morning (29 December) at 10 in the Duomo. He leaves his wife Antonella, his son Giacomo, his daughter-in-law Samantha, his grandchildren Mattia and Bianca, who will always remember an extraordinary husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather.
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