The attack took place in December 2001, when he was 39 years old. The conviction of the person responsible did not alleviate the family’s ordeal: “Half life in a body not his”
SAN VENDEMIANO. It was swas pushed and flown down the stairs. Since that day in December 2001, Ezio Zanette has been in a coma for twenty years. He never woke up and on Wednesday, after long suffering for his family, he passed away. He was 59 years old.
“A cheerful person, a companion, a free spirit,” say those who had known him. The community of San Vendemiano remembers that young man who emigrated to Germany in search of fortune and work.
By profession a waiter, he had started to make seasons at the sea, and then settled in the Hamburg area, finding employment in various ice cream parlors and restaurants. For many years he lived and worked in Germany and there the tragedy occurred. A man pushed him, the reasons for the attack have never been clarified: he tumbled down the stairs, banging his head. Ezio, who was 39 at the time, was left lifeless. He reported a head injury that was not operable. He was admitted to a Hamburg hospital.
A solidarity chain was started in San Vendemiano to support the Zanette family. The celebrations committee of the Zoppè festival, the restaurant by John and several citizens took action to raise funds and contribute to medical expenses.
The family was helped by the Conegliano sick court to bring Ezio home. A special flight was organized with the army. An Air Force aircraft departed from Rome, making a stopover in Treviso, where his brother Roberto and the doctor who had acted as intermediary boarded.
Ezio Zanette was treated for several months in the Conegliano hospital. However, the injuries he had sustained were not remediable and his hopes faded. He remained attached to life and for years he was a guest of the Cesana Malanotti in Vittorio Veneto, constantly assisted, with close family members. The trial was held in Germany.
The individual who with that reckless gesture reduced him to a vegetative state was condemned. Compensation was established, which served as part of the care and treatment. But nothing could bring Ezio back to his loved ones. Mamma Rosa, his brother Roberto with Anna and Michael, have always been close to him, even if he could not answer.
“Almost half of his life Ezio was closed in a body that was no longer his – says the family moved – now he is back a free spirit, as he was”. Relatives and friends of San Vendemiano and Coneglianese will meet this afternoon for the last farewell. Ezio Zanette’s funeral will be celebrated at 3.30 pm in the church of San Vendemiano. After the ceremony, the body will continue for cremation.