Friends and Leaders Remember Notary Pio Salvatore on His 95th Birthday

On October 2, the villa on via XX Settembre in Legnago reopened its doors for a gathering of family and friends to mark what would have been the 95th birthday of notary, art collector, and patron Pio Salvatore. Salvatore passed away on October 21, 2025, leaving a legacy rooted deeply in his hometown and professional community.

Villa on via XX Settembre Reopens for 95th Birthday Gathering

The commemorative evening brought together relatives, business figures, and local leaders at the very place where Salvatore’s life and career began. His son Lorenzo, who is also a notary, organized the event alongside his sister Raffaella. A papà sarebbe piaciuto così Lorenzo stated, explaining that the family did not want to remain fixed on the date of his passing because core values like community ties, good food, and friendship continue.

Among the attendees were professionals, entrepreneurs, former Verona prefect Francesco Giovannucci, and Legnago Mayor Paolo Longhi. Also present were prominent figures such as Gianluca Rana, CEO of Pastificio Rana, and Luigi Carlon, founder of Index spa. The evening’s discussions were moderated by Stefano Gomiero, president of the Verona Penal Chamber.

Cultural Legacy Across Legnago and Verona

Speakers at the gathering emphasized Salvatore’s dedication to culture, including his seventeen-year tenure as a board member of the Fondazione culturale Salieri, and his enduring affection for Legnago despite living in Verona. Gomiero described him as the most convinced ambassador of the Bassa padana region, noting that he was even more local to Legnago than native residents. Carlon recalled Salvatore’s genuine nature, describing him as completely free of envy and possessing a striking level of empathy.

Carlon also shared an anecdote about Salvatore approaching the Avvocato during a visit to Villar Perosa simply to discuss their shared love for the Juventus football club. Just a month before his death, Salvatore donated a sculpture by world-renowned artist Julio Le Parc to Carlon’s foundation.

Industrial Growth and Generational Synergy at Pastificio Rana

The theme of deep local roots was echoed by Gianluca Rana, whose industrial food group has expanded internationally while maintaining its foundational base. Pastificio Rana grew from thirty-five employees and thirty billion lire in turnover in 1986 to nearly four thousand workers and over one billion euros in revenue across dozens of countries today. Rana emphasized that the company’s third generation—represented by his children Giovanni jr and Maria Sole—focuses on generational synergy rather than a simple handover of power, viewing it as an authentic transfer of values and competencies.

Rana also highlighted cultural initiatives tied to the territory, including support for the 67 colonne per l’Arena di Verona crowdfunding project for Fondazione Arena. Posso essere a Chicago o in qualsiasi altro Paese del mondo, ma quello di cui sento di più la nostalgia è sempre il profumo della nebbia che sale dai fossati Rana concluded.