Remembering Victor Vazquez Vincent

1961–2025

For more than two decades, Victor Vazquez Vincent filled the halls of GDS with the unmistakable warmth and generosity that defined his life.

The beloved Lower and Middle School Spanish teacher, who died of an aneurysm in October 2025, brought far more than language lessons to his students. He had a gift for connection, an open heart, and a love of sharing the rich cultural traditions of his native Spain–whether leading 8th graders on trips through his hometown of Madrid (as he did for a few years) or whipping up traditional Spanish dishes for them and his colleagues.

Victor came to the United States at age 35 through a teacher exchange program in North Carolina, where he met his wife, Patti. He earned a master’s degree in foreign language from James Madison University and joined GDS in 2003.

Victor’s presence was a daily kindness that helped young learners feel known and valued. For weeks, his handwritten notes remained on the whiteboard of his classroom–preserved just as he left them on his last day at GDS, a quiet testament to how deeply he is missed.

What follows is just a small selection of the many remembrances and notes the GDS community shared upon learning of Victor’s passing.

A Huge Madrid Fan

“Victor went beyond teaching a language; he taught us about a culture and a people that he loved so much. It got us all excited about speaking Spanish. That’s a gift that I’ve come to truly appreciate. I went to Barcelona my junior year in college, and I thought about Victor often–when I saw the Chupa Chups lollipops he gave us as prizes and definitely when I attended soccer games. He was a huge Madrid fan, and he’d have us watch their matches in Spanish on the big screen in class. I knew he’d be mad that I was sitting in that stadium and cheering for FC Barcelona. Everything felt weirdly familiar when I was in Spain. I felt like a piece of Victor’s class was with me.” —Claire Cooper '22

One Last Goodbye

“We wish we could have had this year with Victor as our teacher, and we will miss him. He is one of the kindest teachers we have ever had. We wish we could have said goodbye to him one last time.” —Molly A. ’30 and Lila F. ’30

Victor’s Love Language

“Victor had a gift for bringing people together through food. Cooking wasn’t just a hobby for him; it was an act of love, a way to share joy, culture, and connection. He was an exceptional cook and delighted in swapping recipes, recommending restaurants, and texting about great grocery store finds.

“At school, his dishes were legendary. He would show up in our office with tortilla española (the best I’ve ever tasted), ensaladilla rusa, paella, shortbread, and churros, all lovingly prepared to be shared. He took such pride in introducing others to the flavors of Spain. For a couple of years, he even made paella on site for the entire Middle School, an enormous, golden feast that filled the air with saffron and laughter. Those meals weren’t just delicious; they were moments of community and celebration.

“Over more than 22 years of working together, we perfected our rhythm and collaboration when it came to food-related activities with the kids. We just knew what to do, who would handle what, and how everything would flow. Together we made perritos caribeños, churros, mallorcas, pizzadillas, alfajores, and, more recently, guacamole. During the COVID-19 lockdown, we kept the tradition alive, cooking with the kids over Zoom from our kitchens.

“Victor’s generosity was boundless. Sharing food was his love language, and through it, he shared pieces of his culture, his warmth, and his heart.” —Johanne Chevere