Roberto Acevedo

Roberto (Beto) Acevedo, aged 88, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024 - 7 years to the day after the death of his beloved son, José Roberto, who passed on October 3, 2017. Beto was born in Sabinas Hidalgo, N.L., México on November 17, 1935 to his parents Josefina Montes Cavazos and Mateo Acevedo Rosales.

Roberto was the firstborn of a family of ten children (2 of which, including his twin, Romeo, died in infancy). Beto started primary school at six years old and finished at twelve. He then began his apprenticeship in the family trades of carpentry and music. His father, Mateo, taught all his boys both occupations. At 18 years old, he and his brother Abelardo, who was 17 at the time, started to play professionally in the Big Band Orchestra “La Moda” which was directed by their father. In his 80s, Beto recalled that the happiest day of his life was the day he played his first professional gig with Abelardo and his father, Mateo. Roberto would also go on to play trumpet in the “Blanco y Negro” and the “Carta Blanca” orchestras. These big band-type orchestras toured Anáhuac, Lampazos, Villaldama, Bustamante, Colorados, Parás, Los Garza, Agualeguas, Monterrey and of course, Sabinas Hidalgo.

Beto had a love and passion for music; he adored Agustín Lara, Frank Sinatra, Armando Manzanero, The Glen Miller Band, and Benny Goodman. He also enjoyed all the Jazz greats: Coltrane, Fitzgerald, Davis, Ellington, Parker and trumpeters Louis Armstrong, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, and Chris Botti. In his 50s, Beto expanded his repertoire to include Mariachi Music. More recently, he loved attending the local concerts of saxophonist Luke Bartels, whom Beto described as a “Musician’s Musician.”Roberto married the love of his life, María Teresa Elizondo Guajardo on February 15, 1959 and set up a home in Sabinas Hidalgo. They would go on to sponsor many newlyweds throughout their life in Sabinas and for years afterwards. He was referred to as “Padrino” by hundreds. The couple would go on to have two children: José Roberto and Brenda Mariflor Acevedo. In April 1970, the entire family immigrated to San Antonio, TX.

After having several jobs that didn’t fully employ his master carpenter skills, Beto found a job at Prassel Manufacturing Co. which was known for custom architectural millwork, such as mantles, doors, and cabinetry. After retiring from Prassel, he worked part-time with some of his former colleagues and friends at Branch Custom Design Woodworking. Roberto also found employment in local orchestras including the ones founded by Pete Portillo, Joe Torres and José Espinoza. He later played trumpet in the Cumbia Band La Gua-Pa-Cha fronted by José Neri. In the Gua-Pa-Cha era he was joined by his son, José Roberto, who would play 2nd Trumpet. At around this time, Beto also used his musical skills to help direct the church choir and musicians at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church while Fr. Bill Collins, MSC was the Pastor. In his 50s, Beto learned to play Mariachi music, a much different genre than the jazz, big band, boleros, and cumbias of his youth. Beto played with many Mariachi groups well into his 70s. The Mariachis would play at weddings, quiceañeras, birthday parties, anniversaries, and all sorts of other celebrations; the largest of which would be Mother’s Day in San Antonio. The leader would rent a passenger van and schedule 20 or more gigs that would begin on Saturday and end on Sunday evening, often stopping at either family parties or just a serenade of 3 or 4 songs to a beloved mother in the middle of night right outside her bedroom window.

Although Beto kept very busy with his work obligations, he was a remarkable father. He had a lifelong curiosity and growth mindset, which he imparted to his children. Even though his formal education was cut short, Beto would continue to learn on his own and would often read to and help his children with homework. He gave trumpet and carpentry lessons to José Roberto and would help out Brenda with flute lessons. He was also able to help his grandchildren Gabriella, Adam, Elizabeth and David with music lessons. Mostly, Beto had the Wisdom of Solomon, often mediating disputes between the two strong-willed women in his life, his wife and daughter. María would often say, “Just wait till your Father comes home.” And Brenda would reply, “Yes, let’s wait,” as she knew she was bound to get a fair hearing. One such dispute in the 1970s centered on washing dishes. When Brenda argued that José didn’t have to wash dishes, her mother replied that he was a boy, thus didn’t have to do women’s work. When Beto arrived home after an exhausting day of carpentry work, he was met by the two each arguing their case. Beto reached his decision and stated, “If we don’t treat Brenda as an equal in our own home, how can we expect for her to receive equal treatment in the world out there?” José and Brenda thus began to share dishwashing duties. José was such a noble soul that he didn’t bother to mention that Brenda didn’t do her share of yard work. So, although the Equal Rights Amendment of the USA failed to be ratified, it was ratified in the Acevedo household.

Roberto was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Mateo Acevedo Montes and Socorro Acevedo de González; his son José Roberto Acevedo; and his wife of nearly 65 years, María Teresa Acevedo, who passed on October 14, 2023. He is survived by his daughter Brenda M. Acevedo; son-in-law Steve Bartels; daughter-in-law Diana T. Acevedo; grandchildren Gabriella Acevedo, Adam Acevedo (Ivetth Sotelo Flores), Elizabeth Acevedo Bartels-Huizar (James Huizar), and David Acevedo Bartels; great-grandson Abel Acevedo; his brothers Abelardo, Juan Manuel, Erasmo Manrique Acevedo Montes; and his sisters Edelmira and Silvia Acevedo Montes.

The family would like to thank Family Service Association, especially Bernie Vasquez, Linda González, Yolanda De León and Diana Ramirez for their invaluable assistance the last 6 years of Roberto’s life. He was able to live independently until the very last day of his life due to their continuous household assistance.

ROSARY11:00 AMTUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024ST. ANTHONY DE PADUA CATHOLIC CHURCH

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL11:30 AMTUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024ST. ANTHONY DE PADUA CATHOLIC CHURCH102 LORENZ RD.SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209

Fr. Kevin Shanahan will officiate. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels San Antonio, https://www.mowsatx.org/make-donation.