Double Loss

In the last few days, the world of electrophysiology and the World Society of Arrhythmias have lost two major contributors to what we know and to what we do. These great and good people are well known to all in our field; Victor Parsonnet, co-founder of the International Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Society, ICPES, which evolved into the WSA, and Massimo Santini, past president, 2007–2011, who gave WSA its new name in 2007. Victor Parsonnet, 1924–2024, an elegant and charming cardiac surgeon was born into a high-achieving family, his grandparents, immigrants from Ukraine, having put themselves through medical school, later founded the Newark Beth Israel Hospital. There also was Victor's destiny. He became chief of Surgery and worked there until he was over 90 years. During his long career, much of which focused on cardiac pacing, he made massive contributions to our assessment of the quality of our work, the way in which we organize ourselves and exchange scientific information. He was a co-founder of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, now the Heart Rhythm Society, in 1978 and shortly afterward was co-founder of ICPES. Victor also made many contributions to cardiovascular surgery. He made many inventions including the nuclear-powered pacemaker, holding many patents, the income from which funded research at Beth Israel. He created the first pacemaker clinic recognizing the importance of long-term pacemaker patient care. Victor was also a fine pianist and great lover of classical music. He was a strong supporter of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, being Board Chair 1991–2007. He was a prime mover in the foundation of the New Jersey Fine Arts Center which opened in 1997. At his 90th birthday, he played a piano concerto with the Symphony Orchestra in that Center. Besides being a great doctor, he was a regular and good tennis player. The writer of this piece suffered many defeats, all over the world at Electrophysiology meetings, at Victor's hands despite his numerical age disadvantage of 16 years. Sadly, both his wonderful wives Mia (died 2002), and Jane (died 2020) did not survive him. However, he is survived by his three children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Massimo Santini was a great Italian cardiologist, full of energy, warmth and quintessentially “sympathic.” Internationally, his greatest achievements were the establishing of the series of highly successful biennial meetings “Clinical Progress in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology” in Rome which quickly adopted a space in every Electrophysiologist's diary 1980–2018, being President of WSA, Chair of the European Working group on Cardiac Pacing 1996–1998, co-founder of the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society and its Vice-President 2000, Secretary of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), a leader on many of the ESC's subcommittees, plus his huge number of influential scientific papers across a very wide range of topics in our field. Nationally in Italy, he quickly became a leader, Rome, from San Filippo Neri Hospital, was put on the electrophysiological map, and ultimately Massimo became President of many Italian Cardiological societies. All his achievements stemmed from his friendly, understanding attitude and profound ability to bring people together—his charm won so many days. Massimo had two main hobbies, work and family. He was the second of five brothers and played a great part in keeping the family together. He was always very generous. He and Grazia, who survives him, were not blessed with children replacing them with a series of very delightful West Highland terriers. His other hobbies were sailing and skiing which, of course, Massimo did very well! We have lost in so short a time two really great people who gave so much for others including all of us. Their legacy will be forever embedded in WSA's principles and foundation. We, the present Board of WSA, send our heartfelt condolences to their families.