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July 10th, 2012:

Vito Berretta (March 25, 1958 – July 7, 2012) 27-year veteran of FDNY dies at 54  – NY Daily News

Vito Berretta (March 25, 1958 - July 7, 2012)

Vito Berretta (March 25, 1958 – July 7, 2012)

27-year veteran of FDNY dies at 54
Lt. Vito Berretta known as extreme athlete

BY JOE KEMP / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
PUBLISHED: MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012, 2:00 AM

A veteran city firefighter, who was known as an extreme athlete who organized grueling hikes through the mountains upstate and 50-mile bicycle tours on Long Island, died on Saturday. He was 54. Lt. Vito Berretta — a 27-year vet of the FDNY who was assigned to Engine Co. 282 in Borough Park, Brooklyn — died from complications after a heart attack while with his family, friends said.

Colleagues remembered Berretta, who also helped with rescue efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks, as an inspiration who was strong in both body and mind.“He was the type of guy that wanted to do and see everything,” said FDNY Captain George Farinacci, who worked at Ladder Co. 148 for 10 years in the same firehouse with Berretta. “He also wanted everyone to come along with him for the trip.”

Farinacci said that Berretta organized two trips a year for his fellow smoke-eaters. One was a 50-mile bicycle ride in Montauk, L.I.; the other, a hiking trip in the Adirondacks.The mountain climbs were “infamous, because it was so grueling that the two Marines we had in the house were pleading for mercy,” said Farinacci, a 21-year veteran firefighter. “The guys couldn’t keep up with him.”

If Berretta wasn’t traveling, or taking pictures to add to his collection of thousands of photographs, he could be found with his nose in a book, Farinacci said. Berretta — a married father of three — would recommend books to people, especially if he heard you were going somewhere.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/27-year-veteran-fdny-dies-54-article-1.1110179#ixzz20F9NxJso
27-year veteran of FDNY dies at 54  – NY Daily News.

Vito is the husband of my dear friend and colleague Genevieve Berretta. Our hearts go out to you and your family. It was an honor to know Vito and to have had his images of neons shared on this site. Peace.

Sound recording of Vito Berretta’s funeral procession.

Visual AIDS: ReMixed Messages – Washington DC

Visual AIDS & Transformer proudly present:

ReMixed Messages

Hosted by
Fathom Gallery
1333 14th Street NW, Washington DC 20005

July 24 – August 4, 2012
OPENING RECEPTION: Tuesday, July 24, 7-9 pm
Curator’s Talk at 6:30pm • Sponsored by Accordia Global Health Foundation

CLOSING RECEPTION: Thursday, August 2, 6-8 pm
Artist’s Talk with Tim Tate at 6:30pm • Sponsored by the Logan Circle Community Association

ReMixed Messages, an exhibition of over thirty text-based works reflecting reactions to and connections through HIV/AIDS across generations, curated by John Chaich. Including multimedia works by:

Robert Blanchon • Paul Chisholm • Cammi Climaco • Amanda Curreri • Craig Damrauer • Joe De Hoyos • Chloe Dzubilo • John Giorno • Felix Gonzalez-Torres • Nolan Hendrickson • Linda Hesh • Lisa Iglesias • James Jaxxa • Frank H. Jump • Jayson Keeling • Larry Krone • Sam McKinniss • Maggie Michael • Ivan Monforte • J. Morrison • Nightsweats & T-cells • Yoko Ono • Jack Pierson • Hunter Reynolds • Kay Rosen • Tim Tate • Charlie Welch • David Wojnarowicz • Rob Wynne

First presented as Mixed Messages at La MaMa La Galleria, New York City in 2011, this DC exhibition co-produced by Visual AIDS and Transformer is remixed for the International AIDS Conference 2012. Catalogue available.

EXHIBITION HOURS at Fathom Gallery:
Tuesday, July 24 – Friday, July 27, 2-6 pm
Saturday, July 28, 12-6 pm
Tuesday, July 31 – Saturday, August 4, 11-3 pm

CLICK FOR PDF OF CATALOGUE

At The Same Moment – Governors Island Ferry Terminal

© Frank H. Jump