La Marzocco Honorary President Piero Bambi passed away in the early hours of 22 March at the age of 86 in Florence, Italy.
Son of La Marzocco Founder Giuseppe Bambi, Piero was part of the company’s history throughout his own life, driven by his great passion for coffee, beautiful mechanics, craftsmanship and design.
“For more than 40 years Piero Bambi has been my friend, my inspiration, my mentor, my partner and my teacher. Not only about espresso coffee machines and ‘caffè espresso’ but also life and culture,” La Marzocco Chairman Kent Bakke says.
“His contributions to the world of espresso coffee and to the lives of so many people will be remembered and appreciated. He will be missed but not forgotten. Thank you, Piero, for the gift of your spirit and the legacy that you have left for all of us to enjoy.”
His love for espresso, and the technical expertise that he inherited from his father, led him to achieving significant technological innovations in an aim for the best result in the cup.
While deeply tied to Italian tradition and ingenuity, Piero was open to any culture that could instill new concepts concerning espresso coffee, a beverage which he considered to be magical.
Intuitive and generous, he embraced the values of cultural and generational diversity, creating a deep bond with the global community as well as with his “skilled workers”, his master craftsmen.
Although he sold the majority of the company in 1994, as Honorary President he continued to work every day, with steadfastness and devotion towards the projects and the daily life of the company.
La Marzocco closes its factory and facilities in Italy and abroad on 23 March to allow members from global staff to mourn Piero privately and be close to, albeit the distance, his wife Giovanni and family.
While a funeral will not take place in light of the restrictions in Italy for Covid-19, the company has announced that once the pandemic crisis is over, a commemoration event will be organised to ensure that Giovanna and the extended family have an opportunity to honor Piero.
“I would like to say farewell to our eternal friend Piero, our mentor and the ultimate example of a keen commitment and passion for life, with a quote by a poet from my native land: ‘Even the great deeds of great men come to an end, an end inscribed within their own vital spirit, and long prepared, even when it seems sudden.’ – Piero Chiara,” La Marzocco CEO Guido Bernardinelli says.
“Thank you, Piero, we will miss you.”
You can learn a technique, but you develop passion only through dedication, love, pride and respect for your work. – Piero Bambi