In a nutshell

"You're an donkey!... you'll never get anywhere!" ... that's how the teacher addressed me when I only was eight years old. Put in the "pillory" in front of my classmates, I cried and dreamt of my social and personal redemption. With much will and effort, many years later, I achieved it by getting a degree in mechanical engineering. 

I was born in Ferrara into a middle-class family. The head of the family, grandfather Giovanni, began the business of agricultural land broker in 1924, concluding important negotiations for the development of Ferrara. One of his sons Benito, my father, carried on the business with as much success, combining my granfather's experience with a greater knowledge of agrarian laws. 

After graduation, I pursued the activity of project developer for two years, which I quit to fully devote myself to the family business. I managed, without effort, to maintain my family's good name: a success I dedicate to them.  As I often say, I have been lucky enough to be born  with a silver spoon in my mouth and I have been able to keep it on. 

I have three children: Rocco e Chiara from my first passed wife and Juan Dario from my second wife. They are all now esteemed professionals in their businesses (Rocco is an ex-Maserati quality control, Chiara is a university researcher, Juan Dario is a high-school teacher). 

I also did some volunteering. Once my first wife passed away, I dedicated a few months to Mondo X, a life community founded by Franciscan Father Eligio Gelmini. 

Today I am happy with my family and recently born grandchildren: Tommaso e Giovanni.

At the age of 69, I can't have long-term projects. After all, I have accomplished everything I put my mind into. The greatest wish is to teach my nephews the value of "good/bad", "on/off", "yes/no" that have always guided me through life.

​​Sports and Hobbies
I always played various sports and nurtured many hobbies: since the age of 20, I learned photography technique. In Reggio Emilia in 1997 at the Italian Marathon Championship I arrived 411th out of 1,500 participants; I was part of the Ferrara Triathlon competitive team that in 1997 and 1998 won the Italian Championship. 

Always passionate about motorcycles, after the experience as a rider in 1978, hindered by my father, I resumed racing with vintage motorbikes between 2009 and 2014. I won the Italian Endurance Classic Bike 500 title in 2010. The following year, I finished 32nd out of 80 at the 4Hrs BIKER CLASSICS at Spa Francorchamps (all former world circuit titled riders). I never excelled, but I always performed well. 

I started collecting old books and artifacts from FERRARA. I am not a historian, but a keen observer, a curious researcher, an insatiable reader, an eternal learner. I therefore became a good acquaintance with the history around my City .

Pilgrimages

In 2021, during the pandemic, I tackled alone the Camino de Santiago, up to Finisterre (925km). In the year 2022, I again walked down the Via Francigena, always in solitude: from the Hospice of the Gr.St. Bernard (CH) to Rome "ad limina Petri", continuing then to the Monastery of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae (now known as Santa Maria di Leuca)... 2050km on foot!. Ten years from now, I wish to retrace the Camino de Santiago together with my grandchildren.

Bottom line
I have learned to know myself, not to put limits on my projects. I don't get satisfaction from easy things. I also learned to doubt, to never take anything for granted. 

Fear, which I always have in mind, does not hold me back; on the contrary, it is the stimulus to face challenges with proper knowledge. I only fear OUR LORD. 

Vittorio Alfieri with his quote, "Volli! E volli sempre! E fortissimamente volli" has been my incentive. Nowadays at the age of 69 I believe I succeed in many things: Only death will hold me back.

That's who I am!