Distinguished lakeside writer Hector Sabas del Muro Orozco died in Manzanillo, Colima on January 11 at the age of 70.
Born in Guadalajara on February 16, 1941, del Muro spent much of his early childhood in Ajijic, delighting in Lake Chapala’s natural surroundings as recalled in a series of short memoirs he penned as an adult. He eventually married and fathered three children, before separating from his spouse to pursue an independent bachelor’s life.
After years of diverse work experience as a seaman, homeopath and journalist, del Muro put down roots in Ajijic in the mid-1990’s. He soon embarked on a seminal journey, founding the Spanish language weekly El Charal. As he built the newspaper into lakeside’s most widely read media outlet, he saw his role as publisher to be more that of an advocate of freedom of expression rather than newsman-editor. He ardently encouraged contributors to write from a personal point of view and employ colloquial language familiar to the common people.
Despite constant financial hardship, del Muro kept El Charal afloat until November, 2010. Already suffering from declining health, he moved to the friendly climes of the Colima coast to concentrate on his own writing projects. He left behind a rich legacy of manuscripts that his children are now reviewing for possible posthumous publication.
Del Muro is survived by a sister, Maria Guadalupe, brother Rodolfo, daughters Chantal and Susana, son Hector junior and six grandchildren.
Following memorial masses held on January 15 both in Guadalajara and Ajijic, del Muro’s ashes were deposited in the family crypt in the city’s Guadalupe Sanctuary. Immediately after the Ajijic service family and friends gathered at the plaza to listen to a local band play a repertoire of del Muro’s favorite tunes.