It has been a rough couple of years for Durango resident Tonny Del Solar, who has lost his grandmother, mother, father, husband and favorite singer – all in a short period.
Del Solar, owner of Los Amigos Del Sur, a Mexican restaurant in the Main Mall, is coping the best he can. Keeping busy occupies his mind, but creating an elaborate altar for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has been therapeutic and helped rekindle fond memories for his loved ones.
“It’s been a crazy year,” Del Solar said. “For us, doing this is a special thing to honor memories.”
Day of the Dead beings Oct. 31 and ends Nov. 2, and is a Mexican holiday when people pray and remember deceased friends and family members.
Del Solar’s altar is on display in the Main Mall, not far from his restaurant, which he opened in April with his husband, Kevin Abeyta.
Abeyta, 24, died in a house fire June 14 at Tercero Townhouse, in the 2100 block of West Third Avenue in Durango. The fire, which started in the middle of the night, engulfed several units at the townhome complex.
Abeyta escaped the fire, but he ran back inside to help get a woman and two children out and never re-emerged. Firefighters said the woman and children survived thanks to Abeyta’s heroic efforts.
“This just happened to him recently, so for me it’s sad,” Del Solar said.
Firefighters have been unable to determine the exact cause of the deadly fire.
In addition to losing his husband, Del Solar’s mother died five years ago, his grandmother last year, his favorite singer, Juan Gabriel, last year, and his father last month. Most of his family lives in Mexico, so the distance and starting a new business has been difficult, Del Solar said.
Business is good, he said, “but it’s not the same without him (Abeyta).”
shane@durangoherald.com
