VALE VICTOR BERQUEZ
Followers of the Virtual Yallourn website will be deeply saddened by the recent passing of Victor Berquez. Victor died on the 19th March after a long and courageous battle with debilitating illness.
Victor, who commenced his studies at Yallourn High School in 1961, was a most popular identity throughout the Latrobe Valley. He was a talented sportsman whose passion for music and supreme sense of humour will long be remembered in years to come.
Victor was born in Brockley, England, in 1948; and arrived with his family in Australia in December 1953. After a time in Yallourn, the Berquez family moved to Eastern Avenue in Newborough.
The stunning photograph shows Victor and the girl who ‘lived next door’ at Newborough, Pam Goode. Victor and Pam married in January 1968; and had four children Victor, Michael, Angela and Andrew.
Victor’s life is an enlightening story; and many readers will have anecdotes and fond memories of his school and working years. The photograph below will also resonate with Victor’s former classmates from Yallourn High School.
Victor Berquez and his friends from Form 1A at Yallourn High School in 1961. Victor can be seen fourth from the left in the second back row.
A service to celebrate Victor’s life was held at the Turfside Function Centre, Moe Racing Club on Friday 25th March; and hundreds of people, from near and far, gathered to farewell an extraordinarily spirited and brave man.
Warm tributes to Victor’s life were delivered by John Parkin, son Victor, his four sisters Yvonne, Claudette, Olive and Marion, brother-in-law Bruce Goode and three of his grandchildren Alex Skinner, Sam Skinner and Christian Berquez.
A beautifully presented photographic and musical tribute was indeed moving; and told much about Victor’s early years, his unreserved love of family and his deep appreciation of music. The readers of Virtual Yallourn extend their deepest sympathies to Pam, Victor, Angela, Michael and Andrew.
Ernest Hemingway may have had people such as Victor Berquez in his mind when he wrote …“Courage is grace under pressure.”
R.I.P.
Prepared and presented for the Virtual Yallourn website by Roger Spaull and Julie George in April 2023. Julie would welcome other photographs of Victor and his YHS friends for posting on the website. Thank you.
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