Antonio Pennetta, cardiologist, died

The world of volunteering in mourning: died Antonio Pennetta medico very well-known cardiologist in Gallipoli. “Hello doctor Pennetta, it’s difficult to forget, the good deeds you did for all of us in the hospital will remain engraved”. Sunday 20 October: the quiet festive evening suddenly changes tone and colour, it becomes dark and gloomy, while a piece of news which tears at the soul and which one would never want to read, begins to beat its tom-tom on the Facebook pages: the doctor Antonio Pennetta it’s no longer there. He, the cardiologist who saved many lives, the good, humble, sweet, helpful man, dedicated to volunteering with “Rainbow over Tanzania”, left this earth, after having fought with one of those diseases that leave no escape and which in it grabbed him for a short time.

INSIGHTS

The messages

“Hello doctor, professional, humane person, always available and lover of volunteering in his Africa.

I will never forget you, continue to save lives from above with your prayers”, hundreds of messages of condolence on Facebook pages, astonished, incredulous, pain-filled messages from all those who were lucky enough to meet him, even for just one time in their life. Antonio Pennetta, 68 years old and a life spent in the cardiology department of the Gallipoli hospital. «The entire Gallipoli hospital family loses a great cardiologist and a beautiful person – writes a nurse – For me a dear friend, a gentle giant… a Master! You taught me many things… especially to keep a cool head. Many emergencies and consultations spent together in the darkest nights to save human lives.”

Who he was

He was the good cardiologist, he had a word of encouragement for everyone and he worked until the end, as long as his illness allowed him to do so again. But doctor Antonio Pennetta is also remembered for his volunteer work in Tanzania where for 12 years he followed the “Arcobaleno su Tanzania” association headed by Giovanni Primiceri. There he saved many human lives and cared for thousands of children, including his two, brought with him to Italy in foster care. Antonio Pennetta, who lived in Gallipoli, leaves behind his wife, also a doctor, and his two Tanzanian boys brought to Gallipoli at a very young age, his mother and sisters, and also leaves a myriad of his patients and friends orphaned.

The funeral will be held this morning at 10 in the parish of San Gabriele dell’Addolorata.