Manzanillo Has Lost Yet Another Friend

2014 Living in Mexico September 2014

By Manzanillo Sun Writer from the September 2014 Edition

On August 26th at 11.30 in the morning, Robert Mayford Hill, Artist Muralist Painter Designer Teacher of Manzanillo, previously Professor of Art UNLV, friend of many and originator of the Christmas parties for the children of Santiago for the past five years, passed away in his home in Santiago. Although the cause has not yet been made public it appears to be of respiratory origin. Robert was extremely ill for several months and was tended until the last by his good friend Reyna Garcia, formerly an SRN of the Mexican navy. We all know her as the friendly waitress in Juanitos restaurant and Esperanza Corey’s sister.

Signs of Robert’s work can be seen around Manzanillo as tiled murals in private houses, painted murals in Juanitos and other businesses around town and the many paintings in private houses. He was also commissioned to design a tiled mural for the wall of the Manzanillo Port Union Headquarters in Downtown Manzanillo. Robert considered this an extreme honor. This wall will commemorate him for many years to come.

His adopted son, John Mayford Hill, who lives in Brazil, has come to Manzanillo to finalize details of his father’s life in Manzanillo with the assistance of Reyna Garcia. Details of any commemorative services or charities to which donations may be made in Robert’s name will be announced later.

Larger than life, Robert’s presence will be greatly missed in Manzanillo by the many students of his art classes, both Mexican (who constantly amazed him) and the United States (whose efforts he admired) and the many friends he made over his years in Manzanillo.

Further information will be directed by or may be obtained through John Cory of Juanitos or Gerry Szakacs.

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