The Pasmo del Vallès (1927-2010)
Granollers

When he stepped onto the handball court, as he liked to call the sport, Joan ceased to be the shopkeeper and became the relentless and furious goalscorer who wouldn't be intimidated by any opponent. It was his power and physical toughness as a forward that earned him the nickname "the Wonder of Vallès." He was one of the founders of the Granollers club, although shortly afterward he signed with FC Barcelona, with whom he won the Catalan and Spanish Handball Championships in 1947 and 1949. Returning to his hometown club, he repeated the feat in 1956 and 1959. Joan Barbany Pujol—our grandfather Joan—was born in Granollers, the son of Amadeu and Margarida, shopkeepers. He married Lola, a bright and intelligent woman with whom he formed an extraordinary team. Visionaries, they broke the mold and were incredibly hard workers: Lola and Joan transformed Can Barbany, which until then had been a small ribbon and thread shop, into a long-established and prestigious business, of which IAIOS is the legacy. Our beloved grandfather passed away on a Sunday—such is life as a shopkeeper!—having been a great inspiration to his children and grandchildren, who remember him with love and admiration. He was a playful grandfather, enthusiastic about family traditions, and very, very generous. Grandfather. Today, from this brief biography, we dedicate an eternal Tic-Tac-Toe to you!