Emotional farewell in Somió to Ignacio Figaredo Alvargonzález: "He was a free soul, but with a big heart"
Kike Figaredo, brother of the deceased, officiated the mass and the son moved everyone by reading a few words of farewell: "I feel very proud to have had him as a father."An emotional, very emotional farewell was given this morning in the parish of San Julián de Somió to Ignacio Figaredo Alvargonzález, who died on Wednesday in Madrid at the age of 74. The Jesuit priest Kike Figaredo, apostolic prefect of Battambang, and one of the brothers of the deceased, was in charge of officiating a funeral in a temple that was packed. The priest was in charge of praising the figure of his brother, both in his personal and professional facet, recalling his great love for nature and falconry. Ignacio Figaredo Ongil, his son, also spoke, who with a brief sketch moved everyone in the church by recalling some of the best anecdotes about his father. "He was a free soul, but with a big heart," said Kike Figaredo.
Ignacio Figaredo will be buried in Oviedo in the privacy of his family. An employee of the Banco Exterior de España, his professional career took him to work in many countries, including Bahrain, Egypt and Switzerland. His passion for falconry was well known. He was one of the first falcon breeders in the country. And his hobby led him to become friends with Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente. He also had three grandchildren who had become his weakness in the last years of his life. "My father was a good, honest and generous man. He enjoyed life," said his son, finding strength to control his tears.
Kike Figaredo was in charge of leading the mass. He was assisted by the superior of the Jesuits, Alfredo Florez Cienfuegos-Jovellanos, and José Juan Hernández, parish priest of Villalegre and La Luz (Avilés). Figaredo focused on five different aspects of his brother's life. "He lived life in a vital way, with passion. Not everyone lives like that. He gave a lesson when it came to making decisions, knowing that they must be made from the heart," said the priest. "He was a lover of his loved ones and of nature. He loved hunting and falconry," said Figaredo, who remembered "Minus," one of his brother's falcons.
"He was also a great friend to his friends," continued the priest, who also spoke about family life. "He was a free spirit and we said he was a torment. He liked to do his own thing, but always with a good heart. There was always a change and help if you told him things. He educated us in fraternal correction to be good brothers," he described. "He was a grandfather three times and a father only once. He gave love and tenderness to his grandchildren," concluded Figaredo.
The son's speech was one of the most emotional moments of the morning. "My father was a unique character who loved to laugh. He didn't have enough hours in the day," he recalled. "I feel very proud to have had a father like him, he was a friend, father and confidant," said Ignacio Figaredo Ongil. The mass ended as Kike Figaredo's usually do. With the Cambodian gesture of the lotus flower to say goodbye to Ignacio Figaredo Alvargonzález.
