Amato Berardi has left us: he was a great Italian American, a good and kind man, deeply in love with his Molise and his Italy. It was a privilege to know him. A heartfelt hug from Umberto Mucci personally and from all of us at We the Italians to his son Carmine and to his entire family.
Amato, former member of the Italian Parliament, passed away in Rome at the age of 68 after suffering a sudden heart attack. Born in Longano, a small town in Molise, he emigrated to the United States as a young boy, carrying with him a deep attachment to his roots that would shape his entire life.
After settling in Philadelphia, Berardi built a solid professional career while becoming an active and respected voice within the Italian American community. He was known for his commitment to civic life, his generosity, and his constant efforts to support fellow Italians abroad. These qualities led to his election to the Italian Chamber of Deputies, where he represented Italians living in North and Central America and worked to strengthen the bond between Italy and its diaspora.
Despite decades spent overseas, Berardi never lost touch with Molise or with Italy as a whole. He returned often, maintaining close relationships and promoting cultural and social ties between the two sides of the Atlantic. Those who knew him remember a warm, approachable man driven by a sincere sense of service.
He leaves behind his family and a wide network of friends and colleagues who mourn his passing and honor a life marked by dedication, kindness, and pride in his Italian-American identity.
