For BU Custodian Victor Cabral, “This Job Is Never Done”

Photo: An older custodian mops a floor in front of a yellow caution slip sign
Campus & Facilities

For BU Custodian Victor Cabral, “This Job Is Never Done”

In our video, the 73-year-old employee demonstrates what it takes to keep West Campus looking its best

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For BU Custodian Victor Cabral, “This Job Is Never Done”

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Campus & Facilities

For BU Custodian Victor Cabral, “This Job Is Never Done”

February 2, 2024
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For more than a quarter-century, custodian Victor Cabral has worked to make sure West Campus looks its best, sweeping, mopping, wiping, washing, buffing, waxing, and stripping. Originally from Santa Maria Island in the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, Cabral arrived in the United States in 1980, where he worked repairing electronics. Eventually he landed a job at BU Facilities Management & Operations, where he’s been for the last 27 years. 

To see him in action, it’s impossible to believe that he’s 73. He credits being around students for his energy and stamina. “I’m surrounded by young people and that makes me feel good because I feel like one of them.”

I treat everybody the way I wish everybody treats me.
Victor Cabral

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  • Bill Politis

    Video Producer, Editor

    Bill Politis is a documentary filmmaker based in Boston. Profile

  • Jackie Ricciardi

    Staff photojournalist

    Portrait of Jackie Ricciardi

    Jackie Ricciardi is a staff photojournalist at BU Today and Bostonia magazine. She has worked as a staff photographer at newspapers that include the Augusta Chronicle in Augusta, Ga., and at Seacoast Media Group in Portsmouth, N.H., where she was twice named New Hampshire Press Photographer of the Year. Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 20 comments on For BU Custodian Victor Cabral, “This Job Is Never Done”

  1. This is a beautiful video about an amazing person. My wife and I are honored to know him and to get the chance to talk to him often. His energy, enthusiasm, and zest for life are unique and valuable to the Boston University community.

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  5. I am so impressed by Mr. Cabral’s work and am glad to see him appreciated in this way! While I work in an administrative building on the east end of campus and therefore do not know Mr. Cabral, I am similarly awed and humbled by the talent and dedication of his colleagues who I do know in the Hariri building space. We owe them all a debt of gratitude for their great work in keeping us all functioning and in clean and healthy spaces!

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  6. Thank you Mr. Cabral! I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you personally, but I am sure I have benefitted from your good work. I loved your enthusiasm and your big smile. Thank you for showing us that happiness can be achieved through service to others.

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  10. Thank you for celebrating and appreciating Victor Cabral and BU Staff! It’s inspiring to know my daughter attends such an amazing university that appreciates their staff! Victor Cabral congratulations on your 27 years and thank you! Keep smiling!

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  11. While I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cabral, from this video you can see that he not only maintains our beautiful BU facilities which is incredibly important in itself, but he also models exceptional professionalism for all our students, staff, and faculty to learn from. Thank you for your 27 years of service to BU and for being a role model!

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  12. If everyone brought the committment and energy to work that Mr. Cabral does, imagine what a great world we would have! Proud to share an employer with you.

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  14. During the 3 years I worked at 1019 Comm Ave, I always looked forward to seeing Victor visit the ResLife Office to say hello. I’m so happy BU Today has shone this spotlight on your hard work, longevity, and kindness. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for our students and staff. You are an inspiration!

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  15. When our offices were on West Campus I used to stop and chat with Victor many early mornings as I crossed from the old parking lot across from Walter Brown arena to my office on Comm Ave.

    I have thought of him often since we moved to the Medical Campus, and I am so glad to see that he is still going strong !

    Miss you Victor !

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  17. Mr. Cabral thank you for your service and dedications! BU is fortunate to have amazing team of people such as Mr. Cabral making BU the wonderful prestigious university it is! I love getting to learn about the BU team through articles such as this one!

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