Yes I agree, quicker is better than lingering IMO.
In followup to the trip to Italy, he may have developed a blood clot from the prolonged sitting.
Although I called him timmy, disrespectfully, he was a good family man and good Christian. Prayer strength for his family.
It is always in the back of my mind that we (hubby or I) could develop deep vein thrombosis with those long rides. I understand that you usually can’t know you have it until after the clot causes trouble.