P. Giovanni Crosara
Cereda di Cornedo Vicentino (Vicenza), 4 febbraio 1936
Verona, 12 marzo 1981
Formatore ed Insegnante in Italia ed in Messico. Di anni 45. Sepolto al Paese d'origine
Il P. GiovanniCrosara era nato a Cereda di Cornedo Vicentino (VI) il 4.II.1936. Ad undici anni era entrato nella nostra Casa Apostolica di Vicenza; nel 1953-54 aveva compiuto il Noviziato a S. Pietro in Vincoli ed aveva emesso la sua prima Professione Religiosa il 12.IX.1954. Professo Perpetuo nel 1960, era stato ordinato Sacerdote il 15.X.1961 per le mani del Card. Sigismondi, a Parma.
Nonostante sognasse, come missionario, la partenza per le Missioni, il P. Giovanni fu subito destinato al mondo della scuola. Fu dapprima a Desio (1961-1963), poi a Tavernerio (1964-1969) come insegnante di matematica e fisica, mentre contemporaneamente era inscritto all'Università di Milano per la Facoltà di Scienze Naturali, in cui alcuni anni più tardi ottenne la laurea.
Destinato al Messico, partì dall'Italia il 1.VIII.1970 e, dopo il tempo necessario per l'apprendimento della nuova lingua, lo attendeva ancora il mondo della scuola presso 1"Instituto Cultural d'Occidente" fondato e diretto dalla Famiglia Saveriana. Dell'Istituto stesso il P. Giovanni ricoprì la carica di Vice Direttore per vari anni.
Insegnante capace e coscienzioso, di carattere mite e discreto, il P. Giovanni incontrò, sia in Italia che all'Estero, la simpatia dei suoi alunni ai quali offerse il meglio delle proprie energie. Si prodigò pure nel ministero e nell'animazione missionaria.
Il 2.VII.1980 era rientrato in Italia per un periodo di riposo e di aggiornamento. Contemporaneamente si sarebbe curato di alcuni disturbi.
A tale scopo era entrato nell'Ospedale Civile di Valdagno, per subire una operazione chirurgica alla cistifellea. Si trovava vicino ai suoi famigliari, che lo avrebbero assistito amorevolmente.
Sorte serie complicazioni dopo la prima operazione, dovette subire nuovi interventi e fu infine trasferito all'Ospedale di Verona, dove dopo alterne vicende e molta speranza da parte di tutti per una sua completa guarigione, venne purtroppo a mancare ai vivi, il 12.III.1981.
Fr. Giovanni Crosara
Cereda di Cornedo Vicentino (Vicenza), 4 febbraio 1936
Verona, 12 marzo 1981
Fr. Giovanni Crosara died at the Hospital of Borgo Roma in Verona on March 12 1981, for complications following a cistifellea operation. He was 45 years old, born on Feb. 4 1936 at Cereda di Cornedo Vicentino (Vicenza).
He entered the Xaverians at the Apostolic School of Vicenza on 1947, when he was 11 years old. In 1953-54 he did the Novitiate, and professed religious missionary vows on Sept. 12 1954. Following years of theology studies, he was ordained priest on Oct. 15 1961 at the hand of Card. Sigismondi, in Parma.
He wanted to leave for the missions, but Fr. Giovanni was asked to work in the field of teaching and education. He was assigned at Desio (1961-63), then Tavernerio (1964-69) as professor of math and physics, while attending the University of Milan, receiving a doctorate in Natural Sciences.
Fr. Crosara departed for Mexico on Aug. 1 1970, and after a brief training in the language, he began teaching at the “Instituto Cultural d’Occidente,” an enterprise founded and directed by the Xaverian Family. He served there as vice-administrator for many years.
Fr. Zanardi remembers his service in Mexico: “Those who came to know Fr. Gianni and work with him greatly esteemed and love him for his talents and his characteristics: his love for the congregation, his humility, his organizing abilities, and his bright mind. All this was highlighted by his great love of God and his missionary vocation, so evident in his deeds, words, and life… He was convinced that the good Lord would use this strange path of teaching mathematics in order to reach the heart and mind of many young people.”
Fr. Giovanni was a conscientious and talented professor, discrete and meek, very much appreciated by his students both in Italy and in Mexico. He gave the best of himself in the teaching profession, and helped willingly in the mission animation and ministry in parishes.
Fr. A. Ceresoli spoke at Vicenza during a brief funeral liturgy: “You could not deny him love. His serenity and simplicity were founded not in superficial things, but nurtured by a great intelligence and a deep spiritual life. Gospel simplicity and serenity rooted on faith. And his was a life of faith which did not appear in public, nor made too much noise; for this reason, too, it was real faith."
He returned to Italy on July 2 1980 for a period of rest and updating, and took care of some physical discomforts at the Hospital of Valdagno. There he underwent a surgical operation at the cistifellea, lovingly assisted by his family members. After the operation, there were some complications which required other surgeries and a better care provided by the Hospital of Verona. Everyone hoped for the best, and it seemed that Fr. Giovanni would recover well from this ordeal; unfortunately he died on March 12 1981 at the young age of 45.
After the funeral service at the Xaverian house in Vicenza, the body was brought to Cereda for the final Funeral Mass concelebrated by more than 20 confreres who wanted to show him their love and affection. May he rest in Peace.
