Last GoodbyeLive
A crowd of admirers gathered at the Jardim da Saudade cemetery in Brotas
Raquel Brito
Published on July 9, 2023 at 4:35:35 p.m
The wake began at 1 p.m. Photo credit: Marina Silva/Correio
Family, friends and a crowd of admirers gathered at the Jardim da Saudade cemetery in Brotas on Thursday afternoon (7) to say goodbye to the presenter Raimundo Varela. The wake began at 1 p.m. The body was cremated around 4 p.m.
Among those present were the mayor of Salvador, Bruno Reis, the general director of Record TV Bahia, Carlos Alves, as well as the presenters Adelson Carvalho and Pedro Sento Se, colleagues from Varela’s channel.
For Bruno Reis, Bahia said goodbye this Thursday to one of the state’s greatest communicators. “He disseminated information, but also demanded that authorities and authorities make improvements in people’s lives.” With his green and red cards, Varela left his mark on journalism. “His examples will inspire current and future generations,” said the mayor.
According to Carlos Alves, who was in contact with the presenter during his hospitalization, he was a communicator until the end. “I paid him a surprise visit last week. Even in the hospital, the desire to talk was still there. He talked about sports, about the ferry. Even though he was hospitalized, he continued to be a storyteller,” he said.
Despite the holiday, the chapel was filled with Varela’s fans who came from all over the city to show their love to the presenter. One of them was Georgina Alvim, 62 years old, who left São Caetano in a hurry so as not to miss the wakeup time.
“[Receber a notícia] it was a shock. I still don’t accept it, I take medication to calm myself down. No one will make up for the lack he will make. I didn’t know him personally, but just seeing him on TV makes me feel like he’s a friend,” she said emotionally.
Varela died at the age of 75, after two weeks in a rehabilitation clinic in Nazaré. In 2006, he had to be admitted to Aliança Hospital in Salvador due to kidney problems and diabetes. He was then transferred to Osvaldo Cruz Hospital in São Paulo. Three months later he underwent a liver and kidney transplant.
The cause of death was not specified. According to Gel Varela, the communicator’s son, the reason was the body’s natural weakness after the two transplants.