He loved the sea and its scenery. So much so that he graduated in underwater engineering and made it his profession.
Stefano Pellegrino, 46 years old, diver for passion, died yesterday morning on a beach in Vesima between Genoa and Arenzano. He fell ill while preparing to enter the water. For some time he had been living in Villafranca d’Asti with his wife Monica Pittarelli and a son.
It all happened in a few minutes. Pellegrino, with other divers from Asti, was engaged in the briefing before the dive. He suddenly felt ill and went into cardiac arrest. His companions called for help and they themselves attempted to resuscitate him. The 118 ambulances arrived on the beach, as well as the Port Authority and the police. His friends witnessed in dismay the desperate attempts to revive him. The diver died in front of “his” sea.
Originally from Genoa, he moved to Villafranca, a town he immediately became very fond of.
He always cultivated a passion for diving to which he dedicated much of his free time, but he also took part in the town’s activities. He had approached the Pro loco and collaborated in the creation of various events.
The news reached the town in the early afternoon.
Mayor Anna Macchia: « We lose a valuable person. Stefano was of few words but present. I remember him when he gave us a big hand in organizing the Vininvilla event. He was a person who didn’t like speeches so much as facts.” «We will miss him» concludes the mayor of Villafranca.
He was part of the Villanova d’Asti Lions club. And there is great condolence among the members. «He was shy, but it was a pleasure to spend time with him» says Claudio Ligresti, past president of the club. «He loved talking about diving – he adds – he had numerous diving licenses, he was not a novice diver.
Sara Arduino, current president: « I learned what had happened from the members’ chat. We are all in disbelief.”
Stefano Robino, provincial president of the Red Cross and member: ” I can not believe it. We were working together on a project that will never see the light.”
