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By Luigi Ciamburro / Motoracing

Dom Cesare Stefani died in Tavullia at the age of 96. The priest was known to have the custom of ringing the bells when Valentino Rossi won.


The town of Tavullia will no longer be the same without Dom Cesare Stefani, the priest known to be a very big fan of Valentino Rossi. He died at the age of 96 in his parish residence where he continued to live after ceasing his pastoral activity. Dom Cesare was a huge fan of the Doctor and became famous for his habit of ringing the bells of his church in San Pio every time Valentino crossed the finish line of a Grand Prix in the lead. A fairly recurring event since the driver has 115 victories, until the last one which dates back to Assen a year ago. Sometimes the priest moved the time of Sunday mass forward or back to follow his champion on TV, especially since Valentino Rossi had given him a huge screen for his 90th birthday so that he could see the races better.

The funeral took place on July 7 at ten o'clock in the church of Tavullia, normally in the presence of Valentino Rossi. Dom Cesare Stefani was born in 1921 in Candelara, the seventh of eight children. From his childhood he had been raised to become a man of the church, and he remained one for 65 years, 55 of which he lived in Tavullia. Due to the sad news that affected the entire city, the first Pink Night event* which was to be held at 9 p.m. in Tavullia on Gnassi Square has been canceled.

*The Adriatic coast celebrates summer with the Pink Night, an event also known as Summer New Year. For one night, the coast turns pink, hosting concerts, shows and entertainment. Every year it is a big celebration, which includes a large program full of musical events, such as concerts by great Italian artists.

Read the original article on Corsedimoto.com

Auteur: Luigi Ciamburro

 

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