Editor's Note : Victor was a very frequent contributor to News & Views. You can view some of his many posts and articles by clicking here. The UNICEF and XUNICEF family will miss him greatly.
We do not yet have full information, but for now condolences can be sent to the Soler-Sala family at Whatsapp number +34 665 68 03 09.
Dear Friends and Family, We sadly and with great love would like to let you know that Victor peacefully passed away this morning, in Barcelona, at 89 years of age.
For those who had a friendship throughout these years, you will appreciate the fact that he has had a full personal and professional life.
Our family will miss Victor as well his wife Suzanne who passed in 2021. We will cherish memories of Victor & Suzanne forever. 🙏♥️🌹
PD:
For those who'd like to pay their respects, they may do so this coming Saturday 22nd of April between 16h-21h at the "Tanatori Sant Gervasi" in Barcelona (C/ de Carles Riba, 10, 12, 08035 Barcelona).
Queridos Amigos y Familiares, Con tristeza y mucho cariño queremos comunicarles que Víctor ha fallecido tranquilamente esta mañana, en Barcelona, a la edad de 89 años.
Para quienes tuvieron una amistad a lo largo de estos años, apreciarán el hecho de que ha tenido una vida personal y profesional muy plena.
Nuestra familia echará mucho de menos a Víctor y a su esposa Suzanne, quien falleció en 2021. Guardaremos los recuerdos de Víctor y Suzanne para siempre.
PD: Quienes quieran presentar sus condolencias, podrán hacerlo el próximo sábado 22 de abril de 16h a 21h en el "Tanatori Sant Gervasi" de Barcelona (C/ de Carles Riba, 10, 12, 08035 Barcelona.
A gentleman (and a name one never forget). Victor S-S was one of those who drove the "golden age" of UNICEF in the 80s and 90s. A life well spent and a life contributing to humanity.
ReplyDeleteI was so so saddened to hear this. However I know he is now with his beloved wife Suzanne.
ReplyDeleteVictor was special and unique both professionally and personally. We kept in touch on a regular basis and when I went to Barcelona a number of years ago after we both had retired and I was a key note speaker at a conference , we had the opportunity to meet in person again.
On a lighter note, Victor was the person who convinced me to try to eat sushi and sashimi. We had lunch together in 1986 at a Japanese restaurant in New York in 1986. Up till then I had not tried sushi and sashimi when I went to a Japanese restaurant, and had always other Japanese specialities, but Victor convinced me to try at least a little bit and I loved it.
Victor was admired and respected by so many and will sorely be missed by all of us having had the opportunity to know him and work with him. RIP
Oh no, not Victor! We spent many hours at meetings of Regional Directors over the years. But the best part, I think we both agreed, was when the post-dinner session would include dancing. Victor and I inevitably connected on an elegant tango, he being the superb leader that enabled the partner in me to appear like I was a pro. No question when it was time to twirl, prance left or right, and end with that dramatic dip.
ReplyDeleteHe was a dashing figure totally committed to UNICEF and improving children's lives. We shall miss him greatly.
Mary Racelis
I am so sorry to learn of Victor's passing. May he Rest with the beautiful stars. In the 1970s and 1980s Victor made numerous trips to Kabul. He even brought his beautiful wife and his kids to Kabul and they toured parts of Afghanistan. He was a gentleman, kind and respectful. In more recent years I met him a few times at the HQ. My condolences, sympathey and respects to his family. Victor will be missed by many. Gulbadan
ReplyDeleteIn 1980 I was presenting Save the Children’s participatory nutrition education work to NGO’s at the UNICEF Jakarta Office when Terril Hill dragged me down the hall to meet the Representative. Victor asked me to join his staff. It changed my life. Our paths rarely crossed but when they did I recognized the same passion and love of UNICEF he had when we met that day in 1980.
ReplyDeleteTruly a life well lived.
It is indeed with great sorrow that we learn the news of our dear Victor's passing! We remember the great time we had in China with him both professionally and personally. He even immitated Peking opera to our children and was never short of unique gifts to them. We will truly miss him. May his soul be eternally happy with Suzanne's in heaven. We pray in mourning and condole the family in their difficult time. Bijaya & Gabriele Mallapaty
ReplyDeleteVictor and I first met in early 1967 when I joined the HQ Planning Unit. We both remained part of the early planning "establishment" of the organization, until we both drifted in to country office and programme management. Victor has a long and unwavering commitment to the mission of UNICEF and to the children of the world. He was innovative and inspired a considerable number of younger staff as well as government and civil society partners. Even in retirement his commitment to UNICEF continued through the Spanish nationl UNICEF Committee. My sincere cnodolences to VCictor and Suzanne's family. Steve Umemoto (London)
ReplyDeleteI met Victor Soler-Sala in 1975 at the training seminar entitled "Paris/Berlin and Copenhagen". Herman Stein always managed to present staffers with an opportunity for a wonderful learning trip. I had the opportunity to meet and work with Victor and found him to be extremely intelligent and analytical. Upon our return, I understand that he spoke with Dick Heyward and asked for my transfer to the Bogota A/O as Programme Coordinator. I spent 3 years with Victor from 1976 to 1978 and handled Colombia, the English-speaking Caribbean countries, especially Guyana and Surinam as well as Jamaica until we turned over that country to Fritz Lherisson. I also provided support to our P.O. for Ecuador. Victor and I made a few visits to Venezuela which in those days was doing quite well, unlike today.
ReplyDeleteVictor was a visionary. He taught me about UNICEF and its workings since I joined in 1973 after having worked with Catholic Relief Services for 9 years.
He became one of my many mentors in UNICEF and enabled me to be named Acting Representative for 15 months in 1979 and part of 1980. He had been a Planning Officer and taught me the tricks of the trade to go along with my programme and managerial experience with CRS.
He and his family welcomed my family and his dear spouse, Suzanne and their children adopted our 5 boys into a wider society. They had a marvelous sense of family and friendship and both families spent some wonderful vacations together in Colombia. Parties and receptions at Casa Soler-Sala were legendary and he and Suzanne were always able to charm everyone with their personality and kindness.
One of Victor's memorable and unique legacies involved a request to Quino, a famous and revered political commentator in Argentina. He had created Mafalda, an 8-year-old girl wise beyond her years She commented on everything political as well as cultural and of daily social happenings in Argentina, but applicable everywhere. Victor wrote Quino asking if Mafalda and her friends would comment on the recently adopted 10 Principles of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Quino did a magnificent job of drawing Mafalda whose comments on each Principle were right on.
The 1977 copyright was published by UNICEF in Bogota and distributed widely throughout the Americas. It was a major legacy for Victor and probably only one of his many on behalf of the world's children.
My own favorite comic involved Mafalda stepping onto her little chair and declaring that from her chair, she was asking for world peace. After standing a bit, she got off, stating that "it seems that my chair has the same power of conviction as the U.N. and the Vatican."
I will remember my friendship with Victor Soler-Sala who worked tirelessly for the children of the world with dignity and elan. Descanse en paz amigo. Elayne and I share the loss of our friend and mentor Victor and send our condoleces to their family. Jim Mayrides
From Soha Boustani
ReplyDeleteA great man is gone ! I am so saddened by the passing away of Victor Soler- Sala. He occupied the highest functions in UNICEF but his modesty and generosity were beyond words. He was a school of passion, determination, drive and I and a generation of UNICEF staff owe him so much. Being mentored by Victor meant becoming a better human being. All words are futile to describe how exceptional he was. To all his family, his friends, my deepest condolences. May he rest in peace and may we always remember the privilege we had to be his friends. Shall miss you great man!
I am still in shock at the very sad news of Victor passing away. We spoke a few days before he left us. He was his usual self - solid voice, enthusiastic and full of ideas.
ReplyDeleteVictor was one of Unicef's pillars and, with his departure, a giant has left us. His passion, dedication and contributions will always be remembered. I got to know him better after he retired as we met more regularly when he used to visit New York for the Board, representing the Spanish Committee. He followed the proceedings with more attention than the staff of the Spanish delegation and was often the only one sitting behind the flag. His dedication to the world's children never stopped when he retired. Actually, he never retired.. even after leaving the Committee.
Nothing was impossible for him when it came to children, He demanded a lot from others because he set very high standards for himself. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Most sincere condolences to his family and to Unicef colleagues who have known him. Saad Houry