I had been very fortunate to have worked with Norman and Daniele on some of the early research with swab vortexing, organism release, and survival during storage.  These were the early years when Copan was making a direct rush at the U.S. market.  What a hoot!  Daniele would call from Italy as we developed results and we became more than research partners, we became friends.  I had known Norman for many years prior to his association with Daniele and Copan.  That turned out to be a very fortuitous matchup for all concerned.  The picture I posted of Lucia and Daniele was taken in the old Copan HQ in 2000, their breakroom.  Daniele really cared about his employees and was always making things better for them.

It was May, 2009, in Chicago.  Norman, Daniele, Lucia, Jane, my wife Yvonne and I and Michaela...maybe Valeria...I just don't remember for sure....had dinner at the Chicago Chop House.  Wonderful meal...the bar was just behind our table and sunken below us.  Unbeknown, both thieves and undercover police where sitting at the bar.  The bad guys removed wallets and money from the gals' purses that were hanging on chair backs.  They evidently had done this before.  We prepared to leave for hotels by cab....Michaela, Yvonne and I in one so she could catch the fare.  Back at the hotel....whoops!..no money.  They explained to the cabby who took them back to the restaurant.  I got out and missed the whole caper in person but have heard the story many, many times.

Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, the others were standing out front.  A cab pulled up with the thieves inside and out came guns and they were arrested.  The undercover cops had done their job.  This was pretty exciting stuff to Italians...like TV.  The precinct HQ was only a few blocks away and that is where they all had to go to retrieve money and valuables.  While there....only Jane...she knew EXACTLY how much cash she had so that was restored immediately.  The others...it was taking longer to re-establish their belongings and cash.  Meanwhile...Daniele disappeared.  No one knew where he went.  Lucia said he was always disappearing like that and someday he would get in trouble.  He returned after having found a convenience store or something...and had purchased flashlights in case they had to walk in Chicago in the dark.  

This was Risk Management at work....and very, very typical of Daniele.  Planning for what might happen and what Copan and others might need, was a hallmark of his personality that I picked up on early.  This concern for others, especially family, friends and employees, was a central point to his life...and to the success of Copan.  I think those left behind will honor this tradition and move the company forward in a like manner.

Daniele passed on my birthday.  As difficult as it is to say goodbye to a special friend, I just have the feeling that he was in risk management mode at the end and was prepared for what was coming....maybe no flashlight, he probably didn't need one where he was going.

Jack L. Perry, Ph.D
Retired Microbiologist
Little River, Ks

 

I am struggling with the right words, so please bear with me. Daniele was an important part of my life over more than 15 years. He was a crazy mix of innovation, never ending generosity, excitement, humor, science, family values, passion, friendship and strength.
I had met the Copan crew at an ASM meeting in Las Vegas so many years ago. I was convinced they had a superior product and made the swabs standard supplies for Quest Diagnostics. As part of "due diligence" I visited the old factory while Daniele's fater Giorgio was still alive and brought my wife Suzanne, with me, whose luggage had been lost on the flight. Daniele felt terrible and INSISTED that Lucia take her into town and buy some new things for her (including lingerie!) This would have never happened in the U.S! Many years passed and the relationship changed into deep friendship. When I introduced Danny Delmastro to him, Daniele labeled him the "Fake Italian"...I loved it! 
He was part of my family and I know I was part of his. ...and what a party guy he was! I will never, ever forget the castle he rented for us and the ribald opera singers!! Many of his [better] traits have passed to his son Giorgio, who I regard as if he were my own son or nephew. I could go on and on with humorous stories (some not fit to print), but suffice it to say that I loved him as many did. What a man!

For both Stefania's, the girls and those of you who knew him as well as I or even better, my heart simply bleeds for you and the world, which is a lesser place with Daniele's passing. Giorgio: You know how I feel without telling you. No more smoking, OK?

With love and respect, 
Paul Cerwinka 
Former Director of Microbiology Operations at Quest Diagnostics and friend of the Triva family.