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Italian community in mourning for Vincenzo Narducci
TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of one of the most respected figures in Peterborough's long-established Italian community.
TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of one of the most respected figures in Peterborough's long-established Italian community.Vincenzo Narducci, from Stanground, died after a heart attack on Thursday at his home. He was 78 years old.
For more than 40 years, Mr Narducci has lent a helping hand to the hundreds of Italian families who have moved to Peterborough. He was also a volunteer, who made a huge contribution to the city.
Leading the tributes was Labour Party branch chairman for Stanground, Fletton and Woodston Chris York, who described Mr Narducci as a "credit to the party" following his work as a European Contact.
He added said: "I've been working with Vincenzo in the last few days, and it was quite a shock really. In the short time I knew him it was a pleasure.
"We were putting together some good stuff, and his death is a massive loss. I'm proud to have known him and to have been able to learn from him."
Mr Narducci moved from the village of Orsara Di Puglia, near Florence, to Peterborough in 1961.
The grandfather-of-two, who was married to Donata and has two daughters, worked at city engineering firm Perkins Engines for 47 years.
But it was his work in the community that many people will remember most about him, including running a weekly Italian luncheon club. He once said "If you ask any Italian in Peterborough, I think they would know me."
He was held in such high esteem, both here and back in his native country, that in 2003 he was awarded a prestigious Cavaliere, the Italian equivalent of a knighthood, from the Italian president.
And late last year, Mr Narducci was given a lifetime achievement award by Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services (PCVS) for his work with Age Concern, the Peterborough Council for Racial Equality, Peterborough Mediation and the Peterborough Patients and Public Involvement Forum.
Director of PCVS and service manager of Peterborough Mediation David Copeland said: "Often when you work in the voluntary sector, the bureaucracy can make you ask why you do it.
"The answer is people such as Mr Narducci, who for years work hard supporting others and ask for nothing in return except the satisfaction of a job well done.
"He represents not merely all that is good about a volunteer, but all that is inspiring about the growing city of Peterborough, and he will be sorely missed."
Stanground councillor Marco Cereste, who is also a distant relative of Mr Narducci, paid tribute to a man who had touched the lives of thousands.
He said: "He worked for many, many years helping many, many Italians in the city. There will be a great number of people who will miss him terribly.
"I'm sure there will be thousands of people who will remember him affectionately, and they will have been grateful for his help over the years. He will be greatly missed."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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