Rafael Corral

Our hearts are filled with sorrow while our thoughts are with the Corral family at this incredibly difficult time. A pillar of calm and stability has suddenly been taken away from them, and we wish them all the strength, faith and love to hold it together and regain the much-needed balance in their lives. As a close friend of Rafael's children, my encounters with Rafael have always been during pleasurable moments: family celebrations in New York, summer holidays in Spain and visiting my best friend's home in Tokyo 33 years ago. As any concerned father would, his very first interaction with me was actually to give me an (indirect) warning when I took Lucia to the movies when we were both still teenagers (I forgot the movie, but remember the warning). And while apprehensive at first to visit my friend's home after that, I soon discovered a warm, gentle and respectful man who was dedicated to his family more than anything else. Other memory flashes consist of happy family scenes; sitting in the back of their car with the whole Corral family (and Rafael driving) in the late ‘80s, talking to Alberto while little Macarena is chatting; relaxing by the poolside in Madrid during summer holidays in the ‘90s; weddings, birthdays, and visits to New York where they let me stay at their home. During those times, my impression of Rafael as a calm pillar of stability, of someone who was genuinely interested in the pursuits and well-being of others, of a man who, without exception, is well-respected by family, friends and colleagues, and of a man who is much loved and who loves his family above all was confirmed time and again. These are the memories that stick. May they bring comfort to the Corrals as they undergo this very difficult time. As we mourn with you, we send you our love and strength, Dennis, Aki, Kai and Sacha