The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages is deeply saddened to share the news of the death of Antonio Gato, third year student of French and Spanish at St Catherine's College, on Friday 18th October. Antonio was on his year abroad in Guadaloupe.

Antonio was known to and very well liked by all members of the Faculty who knew him - and there were many. His tutors, teachers and fellow students spoke highly of him as a very bright and intellectually engaged member of the Faculty, who took his learning of French and Spanish very seriously, and as an extremely warm and friendly individual. Members of staff within the Faculty offices also knew and admired Antonio, speaking to him frequently before and after classes. All are greatly saddened by his loss.

Faculty Board Chair, Prof Jonathan Thacker, offered his and the whole Faculty's condolences to Antonio's family and friends together with the community at St Catherine's College, saying: 'Although I did not have the pleasure of teaching Antonio personally in his two years in the Faculty learning French and Spanish, I have spoken to many staff and students in the past few days who knew and loved him and are devastated at his death. Antonio will be remembered in the two sub-faculties to which he belonged, French and Spanish, as a fine student and a wonderful person who was taken from us too soon.'

There is a further tribute to Antonio from his College community on the college website: https://www.stcatz.ox.ac.uk/antonio-gato-2022-modern-languages/

The Faculty will endeavour to provide support for our staff at this time and, with the help of the University's Counselling Services, to all of our students, especially those currently on their year abroad or planning to travel next academic year.