Pietro Veltri (1904–1989)

As proposed by one of us, Dr. Senise, the Training Committee of Milan has held a very simple commemoration of Pietro Veltri. Whoever amongst us wished to remember Veltri expressed his recollections. For everyone Veltri's distinguishing trait appeared to be his southern Italian gentlemanly manner. I must overcome a certain reluctance to use this expression for its overtones of class-distinction. But if one ignores this meaning of the term - which would have been totally unacceptable to Veltri, a distinguished and enlightened jurist, who in his solitary, frugal and discreet existence could be said to be beyond all classes - I must say that these words can well epitomize several of his qualities: his chivalrous composure, his sense of measure, his respect for himself and for others. It is equally true that “Don Pietro” (as Musatti used to address him affectionately), although long established in Milan, had not repudiated his origins in the deep South, and bore their imprint with proud dignity: courtesy, cordiality, bonhomie, even if, when necessary - and it was necessary at times - he could be determined and uncompromising.

Our younger colleagues did not know him, because in these last ten years or so his health had prevented him from attending our meetings except on rare occasions. But the older ones amongst us remember him well for his extraordinary diligence, which made him appear somewhat as an elderly unmarried uncle, someone to turn to so as to hear old stories and family secrets, and at the same time from whom to receive advice, reassurance, encouragement. Veltri, with Molinari and Fornari, had actually been among the earliest of Musatti's students. The latter's Trattato received a particular advantage from Veltri's personal onirical contribution, especially in those parts dealing with dreams.

I have already written (1) about Veltri's role during the “adolescence”