Boat builder and designer, Tullio Abbate has passed away in San Raffaele, Milan, he was 75.

Comozero.it are reporting that Abbate had been hospitalised for some days and succumbed to COVID-19.

Abbate, his father Guido, grandfather and great grandfather have enjoyed a 150 year history of building and designing boats by Lake Como, his son, Tullio jnr is a regular competitor in racing circuit boats and was involved in an accident on the water last November.

Abbate mixed his passion of racing with his customers which included Formula One drivers, Ayrton Senna, Didier Pironi, Jacques Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher, Keke and Nico Rosberg.