In the Easter Mass held on December 27th in the "Maria Auxiliadora" Church in the district of Girón, hundreds of people gathered to say farewell to Fr. Juan Bottasso (1936 - 2019); a Salesian priest who worked passionately, who knew how to see, feel love and hear reality, who spoke and understood ancient people, who had a life as active as a creator, who trusted science as a starting point to understand and solve problems and that, thanks to his trust in people, created projects that changed people's stories and lives.

This is how his friends describe him, those who shared different stages with him and for whom it is difficult to classify a personality as rich as his. His brother, Father Domingo Bottasso, also a missionary, says he was an academic who dedicated himself to knowing and studying people in the Amazon. "He created dialogues with these people. Today his departure invites us to continue his work, may his memory accompany us and enlighten us along the way."

The Archbishop of Quito, Monsignor Alfredo Espinoza, presided the mass, which was concelebrated by Fr. Francisco Sánchez, Inspector of the Salesians in Ecuador; Father Javier Herrán, UPS president and by priests of the Salesian community. Monsignor remembers him as a good shepherd, who knew how to see, feel, love and listen to reality. As a church we need to know how to listen to what others are shouting so we can respond as good shepherds to what they need and ask for! He said.

He also said that "remembering him should give us joy, because he worked with passion and heart for others until the last day of his life. I carry in my heart what he asked for: the challenge of working for indigenous people and pastoral work in Quito. "

José Juncosa, Vice president of our branch campus in Quito and a close friend of Fr. Juan Botasso, said that "Many here have shared with him moments of long friendship, as well as others of heated debates, some of which gave rise to initiatives that will keep him alive in time like the Abya Yala Publishing House, the Abya Yala Museum, the Anthropology undergraduate program, the University ".

"His message sounds strong and clear. If the Church is going through difficult times the task must be even more exciting and vital than ever; today, above all, it makes sense to believe to heal, rebuild and imagine new paths" he said. 

He finished by saying: "Juan appreciated the book Donde el corazón te lleve, written by Susana Tamaro, he used to give it to those who approached him in search of comfort and advice." I think that title expresses the secret of his life: he lived his life at the rhythm his heart dictated; He did, undid things and always went to where his heart led him; without illusions, but with deep hope. He was essentially a free man. And it is the final gift that his life offers us all", he said.

His niece, Elena Villani, came from Italy to say goodbye. She said "as family we had the pleasure of having him among us every year when he came to Italy for the courses he taught in Rome. He loved our people very much, but his life and his land was Ecuador, this land that many years ago had welcomed him in. In the last few years, with the pass of time and a health problem, they had insisted that he return to live in Italy, but the answer was always the same: he would never do it"

"We didn't have to worry, he felt loved here, supported and helped in whatever he needed. He felt happy and that is why I want to thank you. In various ways, he was close to you; you made him feel the warmth of the family and I appreciate the joy of having such a wonderful uncle, you have been fortunate to meet a person, a wonderful priest. We will miss him a lot, but from up there, with his enthusiasm and joy, I am sure he will protect us and pray for us", she said. 

The Italian ambassador, Caterina Bertolini, thanked Father Bottasso for his work and for reaffirming the value of the Salesian work. "Thanks to Fr. Bottasso, his family and, above all, the Salesians, for giving the world children who help those who need it most."

At the end of the Mass, numerous greetings and farewell letters were read by his friends around the world.