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February 12, 2010
Large number of mourners attend funeral of Luis Hess
The funeral courtage started out towards the Jewish cemetery in Sosúa at around 10am.
There was a large crowd of mourners gathered to remember Sosúa's honorary citizen, Luis Hess.
In addition to family members, including both sons Franklin and Cecil and his wife, we also saw Benny Katz, Don Herman Strauss and his son, and René Kirchheimer among the crowd.
The schoolchildren at the Luis Hess school, where Mr Hess taught languages and mathematics for many years, and where he later became Headmaster, opened the ceremony by singing a song.
Funeral Luis Hess
Funeral Luis Hess
Benny Katz then spoke of the ways that Don Luis Hess had served society over the years, and led a prayer in Spanish and Hebrew. Mr Hess' youngest son, Cecil, then spoke in Spanish and English, for the many foreigners in attendance, highlighting his father's many experiences. Franklin then spoke in Spanish and German, recounting how Luis Hess held such an important place in the lives of so many people. He included several anecdotes. Adults often came to him, explaining that they enjoyed being taught by Luis Hess when they were young. Or remembering that he used to give them sweets. Don Luis Hess always had some toffee in his pocket for the children that he met during his daily walks.
101 years
During the various speeches, Waltraud Kling, Ina Hapke and Mr Hess' caring housekeeper were thanked for the way they took care of Mr Hess over the years, and the way in which they ensured that the town's honorary citizen always received the attention he deserved.
After the speeches, Mr Hess was buried alongside the grave of his wife.
Both sons threw handfuls of sand onto the coffin, and this tradition was then followed by others.
It was a touching event, during which the mourners looked back on the long (101 years) and fruitful life that Mr Hess enjoyed.
He was a very good man, and many residents remember him with gratitude.
Funeral Luis Hess
Don Luis Hess, we thank you for everything that you have done for Sosúa and its community. You'll always remain in our hearts.
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