Dear friends of Xavi,
We, his family, are writing these lines to share with you the news of Xavi’s passing, which occurred during the early hours of April 22nd, while he was sleeping.
Over the past few weeks, Xavi’s physical condition had not significantly worsened. Duchenne muscular dystrophy continued its course — an inexorable but slow progression, like a river lazily flowing across a plain. If you looked closely, you could notice small changes, each one gradually giving more ground to physical limitations. Yet it was his spirit that remained strong, unwilling to retreat in any of the battles life placed before him.
Monday, April 21st, began with the sad news of Pope Francis’s death. Surely, Xavi must have recalled the dedication the Pope had written to him in his book: “To Xavi, with my blessing and my gratitude for your witness. And asking you to pray for me. Francis.” And he must have prayed for him.
Despite this, it was a day of celebrations. As is tradition, he gifted the Easter mona (a traditional Easter cake Godparents in Catalonia give to their godchildren) to his godson, Pep, and they shared a meal with his parents and a few other family members. The mona was, as could only be expected, a football decorated with a blue and red ribbon: the King’s Cup final was approaching, and he was already getting excited. It also marked the beginning of a busy trimester: he was personally coordinating preparations for his sister Mercè’s 40th birthday celebration and his parents’ golden wedding anniversary.
Just a week before, he had appeared on the front page of La Vanguardia (an important Barcelona newspaper) in a report about euthanasia, presenting two contrasting views: one from a person in favor of assisted suicide, and Xavi’s, offering his final defense of the culture of life. You can find the article at this link.
The story of how Xavi once again made front-page news began after a television station aired a pro-euthanasia TV program. In his way — always respectful towards those who thought differently but steadfast and compelling when defending the dignity of human life from his perspective — he felt that that television piece could not have the last word. He wrote a letter to the newspaper, and La Vanguardia, which had already given him a voice several times before, reached out to him. Xavi was persistent, as you all know.
He was happy to have been able to express his opinion.
Before turning off the light and going to sleep on the night of Monday the 21st, he told his mother: “I love you.” These were, literally, the last words he ever spoke. He fell asleep and did not wake up again in this world.
The impact of his passing resonated with many people, who came to the wake held at his own home. The funeral took place on Thursday the 24th, at the parish church of Sant Fèlix in Sabadell, which was filled to overflowing.
The coffin was carried in by his brothers and brother-in-law, followed by his sisters and all his cousins. His closest friends carried it out. In the memorial card, the family included a quote from his final interview in La Vanguardia and a saying from a saint he deeply admired:
“My life has meaning. I love and I feel loved.” — Xavi Argemí
“To be happy, what you need is not an easy life but a heart which is in love.” — Saint Josemaría
At the end of this message, we have included some images from the funeral.
On behalf of the entire family, we would like to personally thank you for all the affection you have shown him. If you wish to contact us, you can continue to do so at the Gmail address he himself shared: xaviargemib@gmail.com
His life had meaning because he loved.
May he rest in peace.
The Argemí Ballbè Family
