Peter Secchia served as U. S. ambassador to Italy under Bush
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — When Grand Rapids businessman and philanthropist Peter Secchia attends former President George H. W. Bush’s funeral on Wednesday, he’ll pay tribute to an “honorable” man who was a strong leader and a “kind and gentle” friend.”
“He thought things through, he handled them with elegance and class, and that’s what he was known for,” said Secchia, 81, who was appointed U. S. ambassador to Italy by Bush.
The former president’s invitation-only funeral service is being held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington D. C. Secchia says he and his wife are attending the 11 a.m. ceremony, which is being broadcast on C-SPAN and other networks.
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Secchia, who served as chair of the Kent County Republican Party and Vice Chairmen of the Republican National Committee, says he first met Bush in the late 1970s.
