Tribute to Albert Tosoni-Pittoni

Albert Tosoni-Pittoni passed away on March 6. Some of us joined him on March 15, along with his daughters, family and friends.

On hearing of his death, we received many testimonials from volunteers, members and personalities from the world of the Jacobean movement. In our next issue, we plan to publish an article illustrating his career in the company.

Anne-Marie Podesta, who knew him well, pays him her first tribute.

June 2016: “I’m running!” Albert Tosoni-Pittoni joins his candidacy to the six others who, none of them, suspected they would emerge from this general meeting with a title of administrator of an association on the verge of sinking!

These seven didn’t know each other, and knew little about the Société Française des Amis de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle. But the same impetus brought them together: to prevent the disappearance of the oldest pilgrimage association in modern times, with the feeling that, as pilgrims, we owe it to them to be able to experience the Way on routes unearthed from oblivion.

We learn that Albert was a former scout, that he had a long career as a hospital doctor, and that he was also president of the national ski federation for many years.
This federative experience proved invaluable in reorganizing the Society’s associative life, preparing annual general meetings, updating the by-laws and getting the Board of Directors up and running.

The first few months were difficult, and during these stormy times, Albert twice declined the position of Chairman on the grounds of age, but took on the role of second-in-command with a steadfastness, clarity of vision and determination that supported all team members.

Around Patrice Bernard, this team has pulled together, and five years on, we are pleased to have restored the Société Française des Amis de Saint-Jacques to its rightful place in the world of Santiago de Compostela.