In a small community the death of a member of that community is felt all the more. This is especially the case in a hamlet like Longoio where the number of cats greatly exceeds the population. (Which here is less than twenty…).

Two days Rolando Simi passed across to the land from which there is no return. He’d lived practically all his life in Longoio and was a quiet and personable man. We shall surely miss him.

Rolando’s funeral will be this Monday. In Italy the body is not embalmed; that’s why funeral notices are put up quickly everywhere so people don’t miss out in attending. After all, death does not come by appointment. It’s a truism to say that in most cases death comes when least expected.

Looking through my photos I find this one of Rolando (centre) taken at our little chiesina on 15^th May 2006, the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

May Rolando rest in peace. He was a good man. Indeed, as his family has written to me:

“Thank you so much for your nice words. He was indeed a great and peaceful man. He taught me and my sister so many things. To love and respect nature and to live simply without any kind of excess. That man loved his garden beneath everything.
And, as he used to feed them every day, I guess the great population of cats in Longoio will be missing him to. May he rest in peace, his family will never forget him.”