“He was a kind man”, “with a strong character”: a tribute to the marine carpenter André Aversa

Gérard Frioux and François Commeinhes in front of the plate. Midi Libre – Kelman Marti

This Tuesday, March 19, a tribute was paid to André Aversa, renowned marine carpenter, as well as to his family, at the Plagette shipyard. This figure of Mediterranean shipbuilding, at the origin of the creation of the Sète sea museum, left us in April 2023.

"He's been waiting for this moment for a long time…" A few months after&'s death ;rsquo;André Aversa, “the moment” finally arrived, this Tuesday, March 19, according to his nephew Guy Balmana. A wooden plaque in honor of his uncle André, who died last April, and the Aversa family of shipwrights was hung in the hangar of the historic Plagette shipyard.

Also read: Sète: André Aversa, illustrious Sète marine carpenter, is dead

A tribute ceremony was thus organized and brought together municipal officials, relatives and former collaborators of the Sète figure. With the greatest symbolism, it was thus decided to rename the shipyard in the name of Aversa, a nod assumed to recall the material and historical heritage left by the carpenter in the hands of ;or.

A shipyard that will last

For his speech, François Commeinhes saluted the memory of a "persevering" man, before the father Gérard Frioux does not emphasize "the strong character" of this enthusiast who died at the age of 95. "He was kind. He was a great help to Escale à Sète", recalled Wolfgang Idiri, director of the festival.

Also read: Sète: a room at the Sea Museum dedicated to the shipwright André Aversa and his schooner

"The transmission of our history, of our maritime heritage is a necessity for us. We want this shipyard to benefit all the associations which may need it or which work with a view to this transmission", also declared the mayor, while work still needs to take place.