President Gambarotto was born in Italy, but moved to Argentina when he was about four years old.  He and Sorella Gambarotto were converted to the gospel and joined the Church in the sixties. 

The Gambarottos were visiting one of their "missionaries" in Salt Lake City in 1978.  They had offered to babysit the children for a short time, and while doing so, the phone rang.  It was a member of the First Presidency.  Of course Presidente was flustered, also because he didn't speak English.  By the end of the conversation he understood the message - "Would you preside over the Italy Catania Mission."

Of course he said "Yes."   They entered the Missionary Training Center in June 1978, along with some of their missionaries. 

He began presiding over the mission in July of 1978. 

(more to come)