by Marvin Ramírez
La comunidad latina del Área de la Bahía lamenta la muerte de Edgar Agustín Montenegro, músico, graduado de San Francisco State University y ex conductor de autobuses de Muni, recordado por su inteligencia, su talento musical y su perseverancia frente a una vida marcada por grandes dificultades. Montenegro falleció el miércoles 5 de marzo, dejando un profundo vacío entre familiares, amigos y quienes lo conocieron desde sus años de juventud en San Francisco.
Montenegro nació en Granada, Nicaragua, hijo de Delia Bustamante Montenegro. Tras la muerte de su madre, su padre posteriormente contrajo matrimonio con María Montenegro, quien figura entre los familiares que hoy le sobreviven.
Desde joven mostró interés por la música y los medios de comunicación. Durante su adolescencia estudió en Mission High School en San Francisco, donde, según recuerda su familia, comenzó a desarrollar su entusiasmo por la música y su sueño de trabajar algún día en radio o televisión.
Ese interés lo llevó a continuar sus estudios en San Francisco State University, donde obtuvo una maestría en radio y televisión. Quienes lo conocieron durante esos años lo recuerdan como una persona brillante y entusiasta, con grandes aspiraciones de desarrollar una carrera en los medios de comunicación.
Sin embargo, la vida tomó un rumbo muy distinto al que había imaginado.
Según relataba el propio Montenegro a amigos cercanos, perdió una oportunidad clave al inicio de su carrera cuando buscaba ingresar a la entonces estación Canal 14, que más tarde se convertiría en Univisión. Para poder realizar una pasantía necesitaba una carta de recomendación que le permitiera adquirir experiencia profesional.
De acuerdo con recuerdos que compartía con amigos, Montenegro pidió una carta de recomendación al conocido productor y administrador radial Marcos Gutiérrez, pero la recomendación nunca llegó.
“Le pedí una carta de recomendación y no me la quiso dar”, recordaba Montenegro con tristeza, según contaba a personas cercanas. Aquella oportunidad perdida, decía, marcó un punto de inflexión en su vida profesional.
Al mismo tiempo, un divorcio ocurrido poco después de graduarse lo enfrentó a fuertes presiones económicas. Amigos recuerdan que durante esos años trabajó en lo que fuera necesario para poder sostenerse y cumplir con sus responsabilidades familiares.
Al mismo tiempo, un divorcio ocurrido poco después de graduarse lo enfrentó a fuertes presiones económicas. Amigos recuerdan que durante esos años trabajó en lo que fuera necesario para poder sostenerse y cumplir con sus responsabilidades familiares.
A pesar de las dificultades económicas, quienes lo conocieron dicen que nunca dejó de trabajar ni de mantener una actitud humilde y amable.
“Edgar was an extremely intelligent person with a noble heart,” recalled his longtime friend Marvin Ramírez, editor of El Reportero and author of this report. “He went through very hard moments, but he was never ashamed of working hard to survive.”
A lifelong passion for music
Alongside his interest in broadcasting, Montenegro developed a deep love for music. He played several instruments, including guitar, bass and piano.
For several years he was part of the group Scorpio and also worked as a resident musician at the now-defunct Transfer Club, once owned by businessman Walter Castillo.
The club hosted the group Actualidad, which later became Franco Brothers, featuring musicians Carlito and Bismark Franco. Montenegro played guitar and bass with the band, earning the respect of fellow musicians for his versatility and musical ability.
Friends say he had a natural ear for music and could easily adapt to different instruments and styles.
Edgar, fue un gran amigo de mi hermano Bismarck y yo, un músico talentoso con mucho ambición de salir adelante. Toco un buen rato con Actualidad de los Hermano Franco, y con Ciencia Latina grupo de mi Tío Walter Castillo”. dijo a El Reportero, el veterano bajista Calito Franco.
“Montenegro era un gran musico, con bastante experiencia en acompañamiento de cantantes y como pianista tenia un repertoire extensivo como solista, dijo a El Reportero Patricia Thumas, una pianista veterana de San Francisco y de descendencia nicaragüense. “Siento mucho de saber de su partida, pues tenia muchos años de no verlo, pero su musicalidad siempre fue de alta categoria y su comunidad lo queria mucho. Que Dios lo tenga en su Gloria, y siempre lo recordamos con mucho cariño”.
Years at Muni
Later in life Montenegro found greater stability working for 14 years as a bus driver for Muni, San Francisco’s public transportation system.
That job allowed him to improve his financial situation and eventually keep the family home after his mother’s death, something that represented an important personal achievement after years of struggle.
But his life changed again after he lost his Muni job. According to friends and family members, the situation had a profound impact on his mental health.
After the accident he suffered neurological problems and long periods of depression. Over the years he underwent extensive medical treatments and medications that significantly altered his life and emotional state.
His final months
In recent months, friends noticed that his emotional condition had become increasingly difficult.
Days before his death Montenegro sent a brief message to this reporter reflecting the pain he was experiencing. In the message he wrote simply: “My son Felix died.”
He did not provide further details, and when asked about it he did not respond.
Weeks earlier, on January 19, he had also written seeking help.
“Marvin, thank you for helping me last time,” he wrote. “The problems got worse. Please help me again because I even ended up in the hospital. I felt like I almost died.”
Friends say those difficulties deepened the depression he had struggled with for years.
On March 4, people living in the house became concerned when Montenegro did not respond to calls or knocks on his bedroom door. Fearing something was wrong, they entered the house through a bathroom window.
Inside the room they found Edgar lying down with headphones on in front of his computer.
Remembered by his family
Montenegro is survived by his partner, Elsy Hernández, the mother of his three youngest children, Delia, Ernesto and Veronica; his stepmother, María Montenegro; his children Carole, Tony, Edgar, Carlos, Felix (rip), Delia, Ernesto, Veronica; five grandchildren; and his siblings Jimmy Bustamante, Sandra Montenegro, Katy Montenegro, Tracy Montenegro and Gina Montenegro. His brother Marvin Montenegro preceded him in death.
His daughter Delia Montenegro remembered her father with a message filled with love:
“Our dad will forever live in our hearts and the knowledge that he instilled in us will be enough to last a lifetime.”
For those who knew him since his youth in San Francisco, Montenegro’s death represents the loss of a man who, despite the adversities he faced throughout his life, always maintained his love for music, his humility, his affection for others and a deep love for his family. His children, born from three different relationships over the course of his life, were at the center of that family.
Invitation to the community
Family members and friends invite the community to say goodbye to Edgar Montenegro.
The viewing will take place on March 21 and tentatively from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Duggan’s Funeral Home in Daly City. The family is planning a reception around that time.
Those who knew him are invited to accompany the family, share memories and offer condolences.
Friends say Edgar Montenegro will be remembered for his sensitivity, his musical talent and his perseverance in the face of a life filled with challenges.
