For your curiosity, here is the English translation of the eulogy I spoke at my father’s funeral service last Friday at the Celestium, March 9 2007. We’ll miss you Papi.
Pictured here is a portrait of my dad, Goznalo Fernós-Lopez (1919-2007) done at what I’m guess was the age of 30. Read more about Gonzalo Fernós-Lopez here.
Both the English and Spanish version are available in the extended entry.
Feel free to use it if you like in any context. Thanks to everyone again for all your warm wishes and love of support. -Fausto
Thanks Papi
Hi there, I’m Fausto Fernós, the next-to-the-last son of Gonzalo
Fernós-Lopez. I want to thank my brothers and sisters: Rodrigo, Yayi
and Beatriiz for all their work and sacrifice in taking care of Dad
during his last days. I also want to thank my other siblings, Omar, Zahira, Gonzalito and Talia. I want to thank my loving partner, Marc, as well as Angee and Lucy for being here today.
We are gathered here today, all the children, the family and loved
ones, together to remember this man – Gonzalo Fernós-Lopez. It is very
important to speak his name: Gonzalo Fernós-Lopez, our father,
architect, environmentalist, writer, photographer and citizen of the
world.
The great diversity of people, of beliefs and opinions present here
today are a testament to the richness and greatness of this man’s
life. I am proud to call him my dad. Papi, we will never forget you.
When my sister Talia and I were in our teens, one day after school my dad
looked at us in the eye and said with a very serious tone: “My
children, when I die I will go on to live on other planets in outer
space and enroll in the great University of the Cosmos in order to
learn about many wonderful things.”
Talia and I were stunned, as you can imagine. In a certain way, Dad, I
think the day has come to enroll and enjoy your new life. Today we can
remember you in this world by learning, enjoying, singing, and loving,
just the way you taught us to do.
Dad, your hopes and dreams go on with us.
In death you will always be close to our hearts in a way that will be
more intimate than you could be in the physical.
I want to say good-bye, send peace and thanks to our father
Gonzalo Fernós-Lopez, or how he would like to sign his birthday cards-
“Papi.”
Thank you for your sense of humor.
Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you for your dedication to work.
Thank you for your activism.
Thank you for your love and affection.
Thank you, Dad.
Gracias Papi
Hola, soy Fausto Fernós, el penúltimo hijo de Gonzalo Fernós-Lopez.
Quiero darle las gracias a mis hermanos y hermanas: Rodrigo, Yayi y
Beatriz, por todo su trabajo y sacrificio cuidando a Papi en sus
últimos días, y a mis otros hermanos: Omar, Zahira, Gonzalito y Talia.
Quiero darle las gracias a mi novio Marc, a Angee y a Lucy por estar aquí.
Estamos todos aquí, los hijos, los familiares y los queridos
juntos para recordar a Gonzalo Fernós-Lopez. Es muy importante para mí
decir su nombre: Gonzalo Fernós-Lopez, nuestro padre, arquitecto,
ambeintalista, escritor, fotógrafo, y ciudadano mundial.
La gran diversidad de personas, de creencias, y de puntos de vista de
los aquí presentes es un testamento de la rica vida de este gran
hombre. Me siento muy orgulloso de llamarlo mi padre. Papi, nunca te
olvidaremos.
Cuando Talia y yo éramos jovencitos, un día, después de la escuela, Papi
nos miró de frente y nos dijo con una voz muy seria: “Hijos, cuando yo
muera, voy a vivir en otros planetas y matricularme en la Universidad
del Cosmos para poder aprender de muchas cosas maravillosas.”
Talia y yo nos quedamos asombrados. Pero en cierta manera, Papi,
pienso que ahora ha llegado el día de matricularte y de disfrutar de
tu nueva vida. Ahora nosotros te recordaremos en este mundo,
aprendiendo, disfrutando, cantando, amando como nos enseñaste a hacer.
Papi, tus deseos y tus sueños siguen con nosotros.
En la muerte siempre estarás con nosotros en el corazón en una forma
mas íntima de lo que podías ser en lo físico.
Le decimos adiós, paz y GRACIAS, a nuestro padr,e Gonzalo Fernós-López, o
como le gustaba firmar sus cartas, “Papi.”
Gracias por tu sentido de humor.
Gracias por tu generosidad.
Gracias por tu dedicación al trabajo.
Gracias por tu activismo.
Gracias por tu cariño y tu amor.
Gracias, Papi.
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