When the Bertini family headed to Italy in 1939, it was scheduled to be a visit.

Unfortunately, Tullio Bertini’s father, Nello, had a massive heart attack one week after arriving at his home village keeping the three-person family in Italy. At the time, there was talk of war but nothing definite. Shortly after, the word came for Americans to return home given the predicted onset of war. Nello’s health would not permit the trip leading to the family remaining in Italy throughout World War II. Bertini, a former longtime teacher for Capuchino High, shared his memories of living in Italy and being liberated by the black soldiers of the 92nd Infantry Division, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, in his 1998 book “Trapped in Tuscany.”

It wasn’t penning the book that generated an invitation to speak at the Library of Congress in March, however. Bertini wrote a review on Amazon.com of another book, “Miracle at St. Anna,” by James McBride. The book, which was recently made into a movie by Director Spike Lee, caught Bertini’s attention.

His five-star review, simply titled, “I was there,” led to an e-mail invitation to speak in Washington, D.C., last month about his life in Italy from 9 to 16 years old.

In 1939, Bertini’s family lived in Boston. His father, a chef, had recently lost his job. At 46, Nello decided to take his family to Italy that summer, to a small village called Diecimo, about 10 miles from Lucca in the Tuscany region, where Bertini’s grandparents still lived. Bertini had recently finished third grade. He was familiar with Italian, having heard his parents speak the language at home, but could not himself speak it.

Shortly after arriving, Bertini’s father suffered a major heart attack making travel impossible. This wasn’t a problem until the fall when Americans were advised to return to the states. With health prohibiting the family’s ability to leave, it stayed. Bertini went to boarding school for one year before it was closed. Italy was under the rule of Benito Mussolini, a leader in the Axis powers (made up of Italy, Germany and Japan). By 1943, Mussolini was forced out of power prompting the Allied invasion of Italy.

The valley in which Bertini found himself was geographically in between where German and American soldiers set up camp throughout Italy. Germans had plans to create a natural defense called the Gothic Line, which utilized the natural mountain contours. Those mountains were on the edge of Diecimo. Mine fields were created on the outskirts of town and plans were in place to blow up a bridge in town. Guns were placed on the mountainside. At the urging of a local priest, Bertini and other villagers evacuated in the summer of 1944 to Convalle — a village about 7 miles to 8 miles away. His family was fortunate to be taken in by a local widow.

In September 1944 the Buffalo Soldiers began liberating areas in Italy. Interacting with the soldiers was the first chance Bertini had to speak English since he arrived in Europe. The family returned to Diecimo in February 1945 to find their home undamaged.

On Jan. 20, 1946, the Bertini’s began their trip back to New York aboard a Swedish ship. This time the family did not stay on the east coast. Instead, they headed to South San Francisco where Bertini’s mother, Ada, had family. Bertini was placed as a junior at South San Francisco High School based on age rather than educational ability. Over a year later, Nello Bertini passed away.

Tullio Bertini graduated from South San Francisco in 1948 then headed to San Mateo Junior College, now known as the College of San Mateo, where he played football before transferring to San Jose State.

Bertini quit to work as a clerk at a local market. Eventually he returned to school at San Francisco State University. It was there that Bertini met Jeanne Daly, who he married in 1955. Bertini’s mother returned to Italy shortly after. The couple now has two sons, Robert and William.

Bertini graduated from San Francisco State before earning his credential and becoming a teacher at Capuchino High from 1956 to 1980. Through his interest in photography, Bertini and his wife accompanied the Capuchino marching band to the presidential inaugural parade on Jan. 20, 1961 to see John Kennedy. Photos from the parade still hang in Bertini’s home.

He then taught electronics at the College of San Mateo before accepting an assistant principal position at Burlingame High. He remained at Burlingame from 1985 until 1990, when Bertini retired.

At the urging of his sons, Bertini began working on his book. Through research, Bertini realized one Buffalo Soldier, Capt. Henry Cox, was a local. A San Mateo High grad, Cox was still known in the community. Bertini and Cox began working together. It was through Cox that Bertini was able to meet other Buffalo Soldiers.

The book was published in 1998.

Along the way, Bertini served in local government. Bertini was appointed to the Millbrae Beautification Committee in 1972. Two years later, Bertini successfully ran for City Council. He served two terms and served as mayor in 1978-79. In 1984, Bertini applied and was appointed to the Planning Commission. He was elected to the San Mateo County Community College District in 1989, where he also served two terms.

Today, Bertini teaches three Italian-based classes in South San Francisco.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.