Past International Director Dr. Massimo Fabio (1999-2001) has died. A Lion since 1973, the late past director served as club president, zone chairman, region chairman, district governor and council chairman. In addition, he held several multiple district level positions, including director of the Center for Lionism Studies and chairman of the International Relations Commission. He represented the International Association at the World Health Organization in Geneva from 1998 to1999 and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome from 2001 to 2017. He participated in 17 Lions International Conventions, including serving as speaker at the International Relations Seminar and a member of the Nomination Committee in Seoul in 1995 and Montreal in 1996, Rules of Procedure Committee in 2002 in Osaka and Credentials Committee in 2004 in Detroit.

Fabio participated at Lions Day at the United Nations multiple times, and attended the European Forums from 1993 to 2017, serving as an official speaker several times and as a forum president. He attended the first Mediterranean Conference held in Taormina in 1995 and each year thereafter until 2019 as well as several OSEAL Forums. He most recently held the position of secretary-archivist of the Observatory of Mediterranean Solidarity.

In recognition of his service to the association, the late Past Director Fabio received numerous awards, including the 100% Club President Award, the 100% District Governor Award, one extension award, 15 International President’s Medals, three International President’s Leadership Awards, two International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, the 40- and 45-Year Monarch Chevron and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. He is also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

In addition to his Lion activities, the late Past Director Fabio was active in numerous professional and community organizations. He served as president of the Italian Association for International Relations and Conventions and as a member of the board of directors of Aluiss University in Rome. He served as the deputy director general of the Italian Industry’s Confederation, as a member of the Italian National Council for Economy and Labour and was a member of the board of directors of Florence University. He was also the auditor for Banca Toscana and assistant professor of labour law at the University of Siena.