Adriano Francesco Comollo

As he took his last breath and returned to his Father in Heaven, a gentle breeze entered his window, comforting his family members.

Born November 24, 1946 in San Mauro, Torinese, Italy to Giuseppe and Olga Bruno, Adriano was proud of his ancestry and roots, never missing an opportunity to tell everyone how things were done in Italy. Born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, Adriano planned on becoming a priest. However, he left the seminary and pursued an education steeped in philosophy, morality, and ethics. Eventually he met missionaries and converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With his newfound faith, he decided to visit Utah. While there, he was introduced to Jerrilynn McLean, who had served a mission in Italy, and being fluent in the language served as Adriano’s translator. One thing led to another, and before long the two wed on December 22, 1981 in the Provo Utah Temple.

Adriano and Jerrilynn returned to Italy where they had Sam and Rosie, beginning their family. While there, Adriano was instrumental in finding the will of Antonio Labelo, which proved the provenance of Joseph Smith's papyri used to translate the Book of Abraham, settling the question of how the Egyptian mummies ended up in the American frontier. The Comollo family returned to the US so that Adriano could complete his PhD in Wisconsin; there they had Olga. During this time Adriano studied and wrote his dissertation on Dante's literary works, and was considered an expert on the subject. After graduation, Adriano and his family settled in Provo, where they welcomed their fourth child, Eva. A professor of Italian literature, Adriano taught at Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, and Salt Lake Community College. He was a stalwart proponent of education and expanding one’s mind, frequently engaging his family in philosophical debates around faith, morality, and his passion over healthcare.

Although he lived in the US, Adriano’s heart never left Italy. He served as the Director of the Italian Center of the West. It was practically impossible to run into an Italian in Utah who didn’t know Adriano personally.

When he lived in Salt Lake City, Adriano was an active presence at the St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Newman Center at the University of Utah. After relocating to Lehi, he was active in the local Alpine Bible Church. Adriano's spiritual journey led him to different denominations, but one thing that could never be questioned was his love for the Lord. His motto in life was to love each other (LEO), inspired by his favorite scripture, John 13:34.

Often referred to by his family as a Renaissance man, Adriano was fond of classical music, particularly Bach. He would frequently be found playing the piano, organ, and harmonica. Inspired by Caravaggio, he was a gifted painter, decorating house screens and his shed with murals of his family. A favorite story is of Jerrilynn returning home to find Adriano on the roof of the house, artfully throwing paint onto a canvas resting on the driveway below.

Adriano loved his family and would surprise his children with tokens of affection. He loved his grandchildren and we’re pleased that he was able to meet his most recent granddaughter before passing.

Adriano is preceded in death by his father, Giuseppe, and his mother, Olga. He is survived by his wife Jerrilynn, brothers Luigi (Anna) and Renato (Gabriella), sister Anna (Stefano), his children Sam, Rosie (Alex), Olga (Randy), and Eva (Carsten), and nine grandchildren.

Ciao bello.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 16 at 2:00pm MDT at Wasatch Lawn, 3401 S Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.