Death of Claude Hayem

November 1, 2024

We are sorry to learn of the death of our loyal friend Claude Hayem on October 4, 2024. Claude’s mother was Odette’s first cousin.

Claude was born in Paris, in the 14th arrondissement, on March 5, 1933 (the date of Hitler’s rise to power, as he liked to point out ironically). He lost his father very young, at the age of seven months. He wore the yellow star from July 1942, the month in which, aged nine, he watched from his window as groups of Jews were arrested and taken to the Vel d’Hiv by the French police. He left Paris with his grandmother, his mother and his aunt for Périgueux, the official place of refuge for the people of Strasbourg, where his family came from.

After various ups and downs, they were hidden by a family near Langon. Thanks to that family, all four of them survived that insane period. Years later, Claude set out to find the family and have them named Righteous Among the Nations.

Back in Paris, he continued his studies and became an architect.

He was then called up for the Algerian War and based with the Geographic Battery in Oran. There he met theatre people such as Georges Descrières. The theatre remained a passion all his life.

Claude was also an accomplished sportsman. He remained loyal to the Racing Club de France from the age of 17 to 89, swimming in particular. Claude loved people. He needed contact and exchange, and sport was one of the ways he satisfied that need.

Despite his history and the dark times he lived through, Claude loved to laugh. He always kept that kindly lightness, as a way of thumbing his nose at life’s difficulties.

Goodbye, Claude