This past Thanksgiving weekend, I read an obituary in our local weekly for an old shipmodeler and man of the world, Luigi Uttaro.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pacific-grove-ca/luigi-uttaro-8948475
I did not know him, but as I read about him I was really struck by how much I would have liked to, and what kindred spirits we were in many ways. I am sure we would have been friends.
Luigi was a long time Parishioner at the Carmel Mission. He went to different masses, and no doubt a lot more of them; than I. I will be at his funeral next week.
His only child, his son Tim and Luigi's caretaker Jenny had an open house in Luigi's little apartment in downtown Carmel, in independent living community.
Tim, who is a accomplished professional chef; filled the space with Italian food and wines. My wife and I went over, knowing noone but knowing alot about the Italian community on the Monterey Peninsula. I met Tim, and told him how impressed I was by his father's story and how much I loved many of the same things that Luigi did.
Well, if you read the obit you saw the part about Luigi's last, and biggest model. Tim grabbed my arm and took me in to see it. I wish I had pictures, but it wasn't appropriate at the moment.
Luigi built Mamoli, Mantua, Artesina Latina and others models. Big ones. His Prince was probably 3 feet long and at least as tall. His skills were very good, on the colorful and artistic side.
Tim is keeping that one, and he sold the ones he built before. Several are around town in businesses, and it might be worthwhile to play treasure hunters. Two big models hang in the bar of one of the restaurants we are going to tonight. I know the owner and I'll ask him about them, if Luigi built them.
After I'd stopped, his caretaker Jenny introduced herself to me and we chatted about Luigi, his life and his models.
She opened a cabinet to show me his tools and spare ship parts.
"Please, take them. Luigi would be pleased to know they were passed on to another ship modeler".
No amount of "I couldn't" worked, probably in part because she kind of knew I could. Tim gladly agreed. I came back the next day and picked it all up. Opening the boxes, I found the plans for Tim's model and gave them to him.
But boy, what treasures. Old stuff, old tools, old plans.
I'll post more about Luigi later, once I open the box of plans.
Happy New Years, all!