Jaume Rossa Naudí, Veteran Cop and Wood Carver, Dies at 99

Jaume Rossa Naudí, a longtime police officer and wood carver from Canillo, has died at the age of 99.

Born in Canillo in 1927, Rossa joined the Andorran police force as part of its seventh promotion in 1963. He served for 23 years until 1986, with his final posting in Encamp. After retiring, he led the Canillo Association of the Elderly for many years.

Rossa pursued his passion for wood carving, creating four reproductions of the Virgin of Meritxell. One stands in the Church of Sant Serni in Canillo, a replica commissioned from the original at the Sabart sanctuary. The others are located in the Ariège region of France, at the Sanctuary of Lluc in Mallorca, and in Alghero, Italy. He also played a key role in establishing a twinning agreement between Andorra and the Ariège, marked this year by its 20th anniversary with a pilgrimage from Tarascon to the Meritxell sanctuary, starting at the twinned Notre-Dame de Sabart site.

Locals remembered him as one of the "wells of wisdom" of the parish and the country, an affable figure who took part in efforts to preserve local historical memory. His family background included farming, taxi driving, teaching and politics, though he did not enter politics himself. His daughter, Bibiana, followed a public path as a minister, the first female cònsol and a general councillor.

A few years ago, the Anem publishing house released his writings as the book *Vivències d’un canillenc*, sharing his life experiences with his grandchildren and offering a personal view of 20th-century Andorra.

The wake takes place today from 4pm to 8pm at the Mereig funeral home in Canillo. The funeral mass will be held tomorrow at noon in the Church of Sant Serni, followed by burial.

The Andorran police expressed condolences, noting his years of service with great respect.