Title: The Passing of Italy's Sublime Isolated Island Dweller at 85
Mauro Morandi, affectionately dubbed "Robinson Crusoe" by the press, resided as the lone inhabitant of Budelli island, an old World War II hideaway located off the Italian coast of Sardinia. This solitary life was his pride, having shipwrecked his catamaran while endeavoring to sail to Polynesia in 1989. His mission, he claimed, was escaping consumerism and society in its entirety.
In a serendipitous twist, Budelli's former hermit caretaker was preparing to retire shortly after Morandi's arrival. Seizing the opportunity, Morandi took over the role, living on the picturesque isle for three decades. He nestled in a home crafted from coral, granite, and shells. His duties as caretaker included maintaining the island's beaches, educating visitors about its ecosystem, and managing supplies.
Utilizing his resourcefulness, Morandi devised a makeshift solar power system and heated his humble abode with a simple fireplace.
Turning the Page
Italian authorities ousted Morandi from the island in 2021, converting it into a nature park. His new abode was in La Maddalena, an archipelago that boasted national park status situated off Sardinia's coast.
In an interview with CNN following his eviction, Morandi expressed optimism, saying, "It's never truly over. I'm the living proof that a new life can begin again, even in your late eighties. There are always fresh experiences, new worlds to explore." The taste of modernity pleased him, and he marveled at the everyday comforts that had eluded him during his three decades on Budelli.
Eventually, Morandi wound up in a nursing home in Sassari after suffering a fall, as reported by Italian media. His journey led him to Modena, his birthplace, where he had previously worked as a physical education teacher before 1989.
Morandi passed away in Modena over the weekend after his health worsened. His friends paid tribute to him with a heartfelt post on Facebook, promising to scatter his ashes at sea.
Sources: [1], [2], [5]
Enrichment Data:Morandi struggled to adapt to modern life after his eviction from Budelli Island. Transforming the island into an environmental education center, as planned by La Maddalena national park authorities, required his departure. Initially, he moved to La Maddalena, the largest island of the archipelago, living in a one-bedroom apartment.
Change overwhelmed Morandi, particularly the consistent noise that contrasted the tranquility of his isolated life on Budelli. In an interview with The Guardian, he expressed his discomfort with the urban setting: "I became so accustomed to the silence. Now it's continuous noise" (Source: [1], [2], [5]).
Furthermore, Morandi's health deteriorated following a fall that led to his brief stay in a care home. Ultimately, he succumbed to his ailments in Modena, his hometown, where he had built a life and career as a physical education teacher (Source: [1], [2], [5]).
After his eviction from Budelli Island, Mauro Morandi found himself in the bustling archipelago of La Maddalena. He shared news of his optimism in an interview with CNN, expressing excitement about exploring modern comforts that were once elusive to him.
With the transformation of Budelli Island into an environmental education center, Morandi's new travels led him to a nursing home in Sassari, before his final journey back to Modena.
