It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Victor Guillen-Solano (October 27, 1964–November 18, 2016), one of our valued SHHS colleagues. Victor was a dedicated member of SHHS who worked on our Mobile and Events team as a food truck cook, after first joining SHHS in 2013 as a cook in our residence dining rooms. He will be remembered fondly by everyone he met and worked with at UBC for his positivity, sense of humour, generosity and, of course, his culinary skills.
On Friday, December 30, 2016 close friends and family gathered to mourn Victor’s passing and to celebrate his life. The following obituary is re-published from the memorial service program.
Victor was a man who touched many people for the better and will be remembered as a faithful friend, a dedicated worker, and a devoted son, brother, and uncle.
He was a fun-loving man and liked to make people laugh.
He was the kind of person who, if you were feeling down, would brighten your day.
Victor will be remembered for his broad and genuine smile. He enjoyed being with people and people loved to be with him. He made friends easily and treated his friends with kindness and generosity. During his almost 15 years in Canada he worked at various jobs and through his employment befriended many people both permanent residents of the Vancouver area and others, especially younger ones, who were in Vancouver or, indeed, Canada temporarily. of the latter, he would keep in touch with many through social media.
Victor will be remembered as an effective and supportive mentor both to his younger family members and to new employees he worked with. He encouraged his nephews and nieces to do their best and was genuinely proud of their accomplishments.
He was an excellent cook, transforming a hobby into a career through different jobs and then enrolling in a diploma program at Vancouver Community College. His parents came to Vancouver from Costa Rica for his graduation, a proud moment for Victor, his Mom and his Dad, his friends and fellow graduates. Victor enjoyed entertaining and was very well organized in the kitchen. The speed with which he could prepare a gourmet meal was impressive. He exemplified the saying that “any job worth doing is worth doing well.” After graduating from VCC, Victor began working full-time at UBC in Food Services, firstly at one of the student residences and then on the UBC Food Trucks. That was where he worked right up until his untimely passing.
Another proud moment shared by a number of Vancouver friends was the ceremony where Victor received his Canadian citizenship in 2014.
Victor like to travel and while living in Vancouver he spent holiday time in Bermuda, Cuba, on a Caribbean cruise, as well as at various Canadian destinations, including Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary and Whitehorse. More locally, he travelled extensively in BC and was even responsible for introducing new parts of the province to a few long-time Vancouver residents. In addition to the aforementioned places, Victor spent considerable time especially around Christmas and New Years visiting family his family in Costa Rica. Before he travelled he would like to research the places he was about to visit to make sure that his time was spent effectively. When he travelled with his family he liked to be tyour guide and made sure that all were enjoying themselves and getting full benefit front the trip.
Victor is greatly missed by his family and friends. We give thanks to God for his life.
Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
