Vivient, in his comportment and speech, showed a deep attachment to his Christian faith. To him, becoming a Christian was not an inherited trait or task but a long-lasting commitment to obeying the teachings of Jesus. Vi loved God and strove to live a life an exemplary of faith. He believed in building long-lasting relationships, and many of his friends and customers became extensions of his family.

His every leisure moment was devoted to following God’s commandments by helping those in need and being a great husband and doting father. His attitude towards his community and the world at large was that of gratitude and love, and as he vowed to do, he left the world a better place.  

On August 15, 2005, Vivient and Rosy welcomed their first son, Noah. Words cannot fully describe the elation the young couple felt for the boy was a perfect blend of mother and father. Six years went by before the couple welcomed their second son, Joaquin, on January 30, 2012. They called him their miracle child. Both children were adored from the moment they were conceived. To Vivient, there was no greater joy than the joy of parenting. Not fathering but parenting - the hard, laborious and often unrewarded task of raising a child. To him such a task was rewarding in itself. And if anyone had gotten parenting down to a science, it was yours truly.

From the moment they woke up to the time they said their goodnights, Vi looked after his boys, Noah and Joaquin, with unmatched dedication and gratitude. To him, raising children was not solely a woman’s prerogative but that of every true man. His kids knew no mischief escaped his eyes. Still, they would attest he disciplined them with love, and adoringly listened to their childish grievances. Vi was determined to raise his boys progressively: with love, understanding and through constant dialogue. He loved Noah, his eldest, with a tender sort of love and was always looking for ways to relate to the young lad. He wasn’t ashamed to say “I had to study basketful so Noah and I can have something to talk about, something we could both get excited about…”and as for Joaquin, he often chuckle and say “that one…” with love. His kids were his life and what a fulsome life it was.

In Rosy’s words - “Vivient was a SUPER DAD, Devoted and absolutely Amazing. He was a problem-solver and had a natural intuitive sense of best resolutions to problems.”

It is generally accepted that men love their wives and yet one of the hardest truths to swallow is few men know how to love their wives. Vi knew how to love Marie-Rose (Rosy) his wife of 18 years. He loved her with a deep and calm love that didn’t go unnoticed when one visited their home. Rosy’s voice was music to his ears; when she walked into the room, his serene face suddenly lit up in a perceptible smile. Around her he was most happy and relaxed and couldn’t help showering his wife with praise.

Theirs was not just a marriage, it was an enviable partnership of equals, for Vi was a walking feminist who believed women are just as brilliant if not more so than men. And his Rosy embodied the best of womanhood: resilience, adaptability, passion and faith.

Together they triumphed over life’s many challenges, never yielding to the temptation to blame each other for things gone wrong. If you asked Rosy who was the better half, she would say in a heartbeat, Vi is the better half. She would readily acknowledge that he was God sent, an angel sent from heaven to guide and comfort her through life’s upheavals. He was the man of her dreams. Her life and love, and the amazing father of her two boys.

Born with a knack for business, Vivient literally took to business like a fish takes to water. If there was any contradiction in his character it was between Vivient the romantic and Vivient the stoic entrepreneur. Vivient had the patience, know-how and strength of will to turn his ideas into striving businesses and to weather whatever storms came his way.

More impressive than starting or growing businesses, Vivient provided employment opportunities. His employees knew him as a kind and generous boss, and many devotedly visited him and family at his residence in Ashburn when he fell sick. To all, he was a rare gem and he would be sorely missed.

Each day, Vivient reminded those around him that it is better to give than to receive. He gave generously of his time, knowledge and money to others, most often without being asked to do so. And though he gave quietly and shunned any praise, he could never overcome the widespread impression about him as a giver, in response people flocked to him from near and far to seek his counsel or a helping hand.

Giving to Vivient is not something you do when you have enough for yourself and your family, it is a God-given duty which we must bear in both good and bad times, and even in sickness. This conviction with which he approached giving left people speechless and reduced many to tears.

In Alain's words - “His mind-blowing generosity and kind spirit brings me to tears. He was that shoulder to lean on, the brother.”

Vivient’s or Vi’s, as he was often called, passion for learning was born out of a sense of responsibility; responsibility to self, family and community. Knowledgeable in most matters, Vivient fed his insatiable curiosity by reading the works of diverse authors, and by engaging in interesting thoughtful conversations with friends and strangers alike.

He had a knack for listening more than he spoke and his gentle nature wouldn’t allow him to interrupt even the most voluble of speakers. Indeed, it was above all this quality that endeared him to his friends and family. He would listen with a warm smile even when he disagreed with everything that was being said, and when it was time to speak, he masterfully won over his listeners with reasoned argument.