Belluno in mourning for the sudden death of Walter De Rigo

The optics world is in mourning. Walter De Rigo, the renowned entrepreneur and former Forza Italia senator, died suddenly on January 1 at his home in Cortina, where he lived with his wife, Rosanna De Zolt. He spent New Year’s Eve as usual, with no hint of the tragic circumstances to come. On the morning of the first, he was making phone calls for the traditional greetings when he collapsed from a heart attack. Attempts to revive him were in vain.

The funeral service for Walter De Rigo, who would have been 77 February 24, was held January 3 in Cortina, where he was buried. The “Queen of the Dolomites” was practically built by De Rigo. After qualifying as a surveyor, he set up Costruzioni De Rigo, the construction company that is now run by his son, Roberto.

Walter De Rigo was a self-made man who made his fortune during the boom years of building in the Conca. From San Nicolò, where he was born in 1932, the entrepreneur was involved in construction, refrigerated counters with Surfrigo (now De Rigo Refrigeration), eyewear with De Rigo Vision, tourism with the Antonella Hotel in Pomezia. He was the president of Assindustria and the current president of Reviviscar (a Confindustria company), and in 2001 he was made a senator.

The condolences of the Senate were expressed by president Renato Schifani who spoke of De Rigo as an “extraordinarily enterprising and versatile entrepreneur’’ as well as an esteemed member of the Palazzo Madama Assembly.