30 November 2020
Optometry Today is sad to announce the death of Giulio Venturi, vision centre supply manager for Vision Aid Overseas (VAO).
VAO director of programmes, Anne Buglass, and colleagues paid tribute.
A “much-loved” member of the Vision Aid Overseas team, Mr Venturi joined as vision centre supply manager in July 2011 but had previously worked in the optical sector for much of his life.
Described as “the father figure at the VAO office”, colleagues remembered Mr Venturi for being “kind, genuine and a true gentleman,” Ms Buglass said.
“If ever someone looked like they were having a bad day, he would always check in to see if they were ok and offer some supportive words,” she added.
Colleagues shared that Mr Venturi went about his work with no complaint and was always happy to take part in a team fundraiser or activity.
“Whether that was bringing in tasty food for one of our staff lunches, donning his jogging gear for the Gatwick 5k run, or getting on his bike (which in fairness, wasn’t a chore for him), as part of our Go for Glasses events,” Ms Buglass shared.
Mr Venturi travelled to a number of countries in Africa to support VAO in a technical capacity, most recently supporting a vision centre development workshop in Ghana in January 2019.
Known as a “wealth of knowledge in the world of optical equipment,” VAO described the critical role Mr Venturi played in managing the supplies and equipment used in its programmes, along with managing statistics from vision centres across the world.
Ms Buglass commented: “Giulio was a wonderful colleague and a friend to so many, and he will be sorely missed by his family, his wife Bridget, the staff of VAO, volunteers and partners in the UK and across Africa.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Vision Aid Overseas has asked that if any friends, members or partners would like to share any memories or messages of support with his family, to email them on [email protected].
VAO director of programmes, Anne Buglass, and colleagues paid tribute.
A “much-loved” member of the Vision Aid Overseas team, Mr Venturi joined as vision centre supply manager in July 2011 but had previously worked in the optical sector for much of his life.
Described as “the father figure at the VAO office”, colleagues remembered Mr Venturi for being “kind, genuine and a true gentleman,” Ms Buglass said.
“If ever someone looked like they were having a bad day, he would always check in to see if they were ok and offer some supportive words,” she added.
Colleagues shared that Mr Venturi went about his work with no complaint and was always happy to take part in a team fundraiser or activity.
“Whether that was bringing in tasty food for one of our staff lunches, donning his jogging gear for the Gatwick 5k run, or getting on his bike (which in fairness, wasn’t a chore for him), as part of our Go for Glasses events,” Ms Buglass shared.
Mr Venturi travelled to a number of countries in Africa to support VAO in a technical capacity, most recently supporting a vision centre development workshop in Ghana in January 2019.
Known as a “wealth of knowledge in the world of optical equipment,” VAO described the critical role Mr Venturi played in managing the supplies and equipment used in its programmes, along with managing statistics from vision centres across the world.
Ms Buglass commented: “Giulio was a wonderful colleague and a friend to so many, and he will be sorely missed by his family, his wife Bridget, the staff of VAO, volunteers and partners in the UK and across Africa.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Vision Aid Overseas has asked that if any friends, members or partners would like to share any memories or messages of support with his family, to email them on [email protected].
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