Antoni Vila Casas had two positions in the professional field. Pharmacy and art.
He lost his father (Enrique Vila Miquel, doctor of Law) when he was 11 years old, he studied at the Jesuits and was enthusiastic about the values and forms of this religious order.
Many knew the leaves, but little knew the trunk, with deep roots
He studied Pharmacy without conviction, but ended up captivated by what the career gave him and he was a great pharmacist by training and heart.
He studied with his “lifetime” friend Juan Uriach.
He came to run four pharmacies and undertake projects of which Laboratorios Prodes and Aquilea stand out.
He suffered from aggressive lymphoma which he successfully overcame.
He obtained various distinctions, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit, the Medal d’Or of the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Creu de Sant Jordi and the Montblanc Award for patronage.
In 1986 he created the Fundació Vila Casas, which today has four magnificent museum-spaces, and houses an art collection of 5,000 works focused on the three classic disciplines: painting, sculpture and photography.
It is obligatory to mention Gloria Bosch, art director of the Fundació since the beginning, retired and recently appointed member of the Board of Trustees.
Very social, well-known, transversal, given to relationships, many know the leaves, but little know the trunk.
The reason is that contrary to what it might seem, it expressed what was just.
Deep, very deep roots. Firm convictions.
Vila Casas was always very clear about its objective, Catalan painting, including the recovery of forgotten artists’ careers and the promotion of young artists.
In the health aspect, he contributed to creating a socio-health opinion through pedagogy and analysis of press appearances of the most relevant health topics/news of the year.
But it’s not all.
Every year, 16,000 children receive cultural training during their visits to the Fundació’s spaces with instructors who explain in detail “the why”, the technique and characteristics of the works.
The generosity of the president of the Foundation towards the Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu and the Hospital del Vall d’Hebron is also not known. In the first, treatment of childhood cancer and similar with Valle Hebron.
Important mark typical of a great man, good, intelligent, committed and reserved.
Hardworking.
Great friend of his friends. Loyal.
As he always said, all thanks to the generosity of his wife, Montsita, honorary president of the Foundation and unconditional support of Toni.
And the extraordinary human team that forms the most important part of the Foundation, young people with enthusiasm who know well the philosophy and objectives to give faithful continuity to the “Project”.
President, Toni, rest in peace.
