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| Antonio
Juan Ferriols
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Dear Flamenco Community, Antonio
Juan Ferriols passed away peacefully at home on March 20th, 2007 after
a courageous battle with cancer. Born Dec. 31, 1933 in Valencia, Spain,
Antonio immigrated to the U.S. in 1962 with the Seattle World’s
Fair. During the 1960’s he co-owned the well known flamenco nightclub
Casa Madrid in San Francisco and has remained a beloved member of the
San Francisco Bay Area flamenco community. After retiring from a successful
career in real estate, Antonio continued to live a full life. A long
standing member of the Union Espanola de California, Spain remained
close to his heart and he took yearly trips there to visit family and
friends and to care for his mother Carmen. He had a passion for flamenco
music and recently recorded a CD with songs from his performances. He
was happiest in his vegetable garden in his Santa Clara home and preparing
food for his family and friends. Beloved husband to his wife Virginia,
father to Maria Dolores and Jose Antonio, step-father to Jennifer and
Kim, and grandfather to the joys of his life Carmela Cristina, Samantha
and Natalie. Antonio
was loved by all who knew him and will be missed. |
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Antonio Juan He was the smiling, warm face that would greet me for years at the 50 Oak Street studios, and at all the other places we would be fortunate enough to encounter him. Antonio always came bearing gifts; bags of delicious figs, lemons, pears or various oversized vegetables from his abundant garden. The huge calabazas, always came with a beatific smile, warm hug and huge abrazo. Antonio was special. He was like this with everyone, equally as genuine. He always had something beautiful and positive to say. He was my friend. But he was a friend to many in this community, because he truly loved flamenco and the people who participate in it. He regaled me (when we had time) with stories about my mother, Isa, the Casa Madrid in North Beach and many, many things. Antonio has known me since I was a toddler hanging out at the Casa Madrid, or getting up and dancing sevillanas there….he remembers everything. Memories for him were so meaningful, because they are so for a person who loves life, and feels so much….and he felt so much. He cherished those early days here, when life was a bit simpler. But he cherished so many things, his family, his adoring wife Virginia, Yolanda and all his children. Antonio spoke with cariño of everyone in his life, in the flamenco community and I treasure his shared memories of my mother, who also left us very early. He never claimed to be a singer or a flamenco, but he had a beautiful, angelic voice and loved to sing. He and Virginia would be present at all the flamenco happenings, with their tables beautifully set with flamenco wares, but more importantly, with their loving and supporting personas. Just to walk in and see them together was to know of their love for each other….a great love and respect for each other, their art, flamenco and the world. I have never known two people in the flamenco world with less airs, nor with more nobility and respect for an art form that is sometimes hijacked by small-mindedness and ego. I wish there were more Antonios in the world, what a beautiful world it would be. We will all miss him. I will think of him every time I put my shoes on. We will miss you, Yaelisa |
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