Vincenzo Catarsi 1932 - 2018

Vincenzo Catarsi died on 14 June at the hospital in Livorno in the palliative care department, assisted by his daughter Federica who worked to the last moment. All the citizens of Vada, Province of Livorno in Italy but also many other people who knew him mourn his death because Vincenzo was a well known character for the various entrepreneurial activities, for the talent and for the good nature and ironic character at the same time. From June 5 last year he fought against a disease that did not escape him.  Catarsi had gained great popularity especially for two events that marked his life. The first was dated in the fifties when he created and began to conduct the "La Barcaccina" dancing restaurant on the beach of Vada. Together with his father Romolo and his uncles, Autilio and Bruno, all expert fishermen, contributed to the great success of this place. The restaurant was booming. After 10 pm the environment was transformed into a ballroom. The famous "Les Optimistes" group from Livorno came up on the podium and there were frequent evenings where the best jazz musicians could be heard, as Chet Baker with his fantastic trumpet, the duo Gianni Basso (saxophone) and Oscar Valdambrini (trumpet), the pianist Romano Mussolini and the trumpet player Nini Rosso, known for his virtuosity. The performances of artists such as the singers Nicola Arigliano, Achille Togliani, Tony Renis, Joe Sentieri and the unsurpassed imitator Alighiero Noschese are also very applauded.  In those years "La Barcaccina" was able to compete even with the great clubs of the Versilia. Many customers who attended the meeting were really famous as Bice Valori and Paolo Panelli often accompanied by Flora Carabella and Marcello Mastroianni.  There was also a young Ermanno Olmi destined to become one of the greatest directors of Italian cinema. But since Vincenzo had not forgotten his family's maritime origins, the second major event of his life was linked to the creation, planning and construction of the "Calafuria" which was born in 1971. This seven meter long boat, presented at the Genoa Boat Show, conquered an important place in the difficult world of the national shipbuilding industry and beyond. In fact, the "Calafuria" became a historical mark in the rise of the important nautical names of the period. To this first hull followed many others different for the length and for the use to which they were destined. Some were "Calafuria" open, other cabins and even semi-cabins. Vincenzo, born in 1932, after the high school he enrolled at the faculty of engineering.  Catarsi had ceased his activity by retiring in 2010. Vincenzo Catarsi leaves his daughter Federica, and his wife Carla.