FESPA mourns passing of ‘founding father’ Michel Caza

FESPA has shared the sad news that Michel Caza, one of eight founding board members of the FESPA federation, has passed away at the age of 90.

Caza helped establish FESPA in 1961, with the organisation growing to become one of the leading print federations in the world.

Caza remained a FESPA board member until his retirement from the role in 2014. He also spent time as the organisation’s president from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2000 to 2002.

Away from FESPA, Caza was a print business owner and prolific author of technical and art books and articles. Among these was ‘Screen Printing: A Guide for a Clean Planet’, which, published in 2001, was later be extended to become the first ‘FESPA Planet Friendly Guide’.

In addition, Caza accumulated more than 350 industry awards during his career, while he delivered hundreds of presentations, seminars and workshops at events around the world.

“Michel was an irrepressible innovator, passionate about the craft and creativity of screen printing,” FESPA president, Daniel Sunderland says, adding: “He believed wholeheartedly in the power to advance print by encouraging printers to share their knowledge and ideas generously with one another. 

“His unshakeable belief in the power of community, collaboration and education was one the guiding principles on which FESPA was founded, and he played a fundamental role in the growth of our organisation and events over seven decades. Those principles are still the foundations of FESPA more than 60 years on, as expressed in our strapline – Connect. Inspire. Support. 

“The global FESPA ‘family’ will never forget his contribution.”

SignLink and Print Monthly would like to pass on their condolences to Caza’s family, friends and former colleagues at this difficult time.