On February 12th, he would have celebrated his 104th birthday, the third without Maria. Vittorio Lai passed away in the land of his beloved, with whom he shared eighty years of life. An infinite love, begun with a slip in the mud in front of his house. It was 1944, a winter of war. Vittorio was a soldier posted to Messina. At the Arcolacci home, Cupid set a first-rate ambush for him. In six months, love at first sight became a ring in the name of God. And to think that Maria, a nun, was supposed to go. But vocation was no match for this charming Foghesino, who over the years would gain international fame. But let's take things in order.
Between the two different islanders, love quickly bore fruit. They would eventually have eight children. Between them, Maria and Vittorio boasted a remarkable record: grandparents to eighteen grandchildren, great-grandparents to twenty boys and girls, and great-great-grandparents to four children. The legend of Grandpa Pistola began with a series of records, for longevity, charm, and a legendary hunting career. But Vittorio was also a skilled craftsman and much more. He smiled at photographers from all over the world, even the gruff Oliviero Toscani, who had come to Foghesu to immortalize him among the protagonists of the record for the highest concentration of centenarians. He spoke to journalists, perfectly at ease among microphones, cameras, stories, and charming lies. But his secret was Maria: she sweet and patient, he bubbly. A timeless couple. And it was on Maria's Island that Vittorio closed his eyes, certain he would soon be able to embrace her again.
