Farewell, Sebastián

Today, Sebastián Moyano has left us, and with him, a fundamental part of Almería's commercial history is gone.

It hurts to write this. Because Sebastián was not just the soul of Cealsa, of TodoBa stores, or of ElectroDirecto. For many of us, he was family. He was a man of his word, the kind you don't find anymore. A tireless worker, a salesman like few others, a gentleman with overwhelming charisma. He could sell ice to an Eskimo, and make them feel lucky to have it. That class, that confidence, that energy... you don't learn them. You have them. And Sebastián had them all.

In my business, when I joined the company 25 years ago, appliances were only bought from his warehouse. He was the reference, he taught us how to sell them. I remember perfectly how every week my father would pay a million pesetas according to what we owed. Because we knew that with Sebastián, there was no failure. If a problem ever arose, all it took was picking up the phone. He would answer it himself. He would listen to you. And he would solve it, even if it cost him money. That's how he was.

He loved his work with overwhelming intensity. He never stopped being on the front lines. He founded ElectroDirecto after several people he trusted within the sector failed him in the worst way. He was betrayed many times, and yet he kept fighting, with more strength, with more fortitude. He gave everything for his company. He worked because he was passionate about it. Because he didn't know how to do it any other way.

He was vice-president of UD Almería, and his love for football was as great as his ability to speak his mind. I remember once asking him if the rumor that Almería had bought a match from Madrid was true. And he told me that he himself had counted the banknotes and taken them to the Sports City in the early morning. Just like that, without beating around the bush. Because Sebastián was real. For better or worse. And that's why we loved him so much.

Years ago, when wholesalers organized luxury trips, Sebastián took my parents to Brazil. Those were different times. I remember perfectly that those who flattered him the most then were the ones who later betrayed him, leaving him with debts of more than one or two million euros. And yet, he kept going. With his company. With his people. On the phone. Closing deals. Sometimes, he himself answered calls to ElectroDirecto's landline.

In his later years, he hired David, a salesman with whom he had been friends for over 30 years, and with whom he enjoyed visiting long-time clients. Clients who were already friends. People like me, who today received the news with a lump in our throats. It was David who called me, in tears, to tell me that the boss was gone.

I knew that Sebastián would never deceive me. He had his flaws, like everyone, and perhaps the biggest one was trusting people so much. But that also said a lot about him. Sebastián was a man of integrity. Loyal. One of those who rolls up their sleeves when there's work to be done. He was president of SEGESA, one of the most important buying groups in this country. He even had a business conglomerate that sold as far as the Canary Islands.

On Friday, I was talking to him about some air conditioners. And, as always, he offered to bring them himself if necessary. At his age. With his energy. With his desire to keep pushing. That was Sebastián.

Today I am sad. Very sad. But I needed to write this. Because a giant is gone.

Thank you for everything, Sebastián.

Rest in peace.