Juan Montedónico

Juan Montedónico Nápoli (Valparaíso, 10 January 1910 – Viña del Mar, 13 August 1968) was a Chilean teacher, professor, and Christian Democratic politician. He served as mayor of Valparaíso (1965–1966) and later as deputy for Valparaíso and Quillota (1966–1968).^[1]

He was the son of Alberto Montedónico and Fortunata Nápoli, and was one of seven siblings. He studied at Colegio Patrocinio San José, then pursued law at the University of Chile before transferring to the Pedagogical Institute, where he graduated as a State Professor of History, Geography, and Civic Education at age 21. His thesis was entitled Espíritu de las universidades coloniales. He married Lila Quiroz Ravanal, with whom he had three children.

Montedónico was a prominent educator in Valparaíso. He taught at the Eduardo de la Barra Lyceum, at the Pedagogical Institute (now the University of Playa Ancha), and at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso. He also served as director of the Scuola Italiana Arturo Dell’ Oro.^[2][3]

As mayor of Valparaíso (1965–1966), Montedónico had to address the housing crisis after the 1965 Chilean earthquake, launching the so-called “Operación Mediagua” to provide emergency housing for affected families.^[4]

He was later elected deputy for Valparaíso and Quillota in the complementary election of 6 March 1966, following the death of Carlos Muñoz Horz. However, Montedónico himself died in office on 13 August 1968. Since less than a year remained before the 1969 parliamentary elections, no extraordinary election was held, and his seat remained vacant until the election, when it was won by socialist Antonio Tavolari.

The Población Montedónico in Playa Ancha is named in his honor.^[5]

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