Edward Melgar

Edward Victor Melgar ABINGDON, Va. Edward Victor Melgar, 84, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 16, 1927, in New York City and was a son of the late Angela Maguhn Banal and Arturo Soltero. He was a lifelong musician who had attended Manhattan School of Music and had led his own 16 piece orchestra in New York City. For most of his adult life he worked in the insurance industry, retiring from the Hanover Insurance Companies in Marketing. He was devoted to the arts, an avid golfer and loved to travel. Having resided in Abingdon for the past eight years, he frequently enjoyed attending classes at the College for Older Adults and was a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church. Survivors include his daughters, Joann Melgar and husband, Tom Hicok, of Abingdon and Christine Taylor-Schmelz and husband, David, of Hackettstown, N.J.; sister, Angela "Peggy" Sisto of Herndon, Va.; grandchildren, Rachelann DeGregoris, Matthew DeGregoris and wife, Amy, Michael DeGregoris, John J. Harmon, Christine Taylor and Jenna Brynn Melgar; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Hadley and Samuel DeGregoris; aunt, Argie Reynolds of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and dearest friends, Patricia Gaskin, Shirley Salyer and Lois Kiser. A memorial service will be held for Mr. Melgar on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Abingdon United Methodist Church with the Rev. Walter Weikel officiating. The family would like to thank the nursing staff of Johnson City Medical Center and Hospice of Southwest Virginia for the compassionate care they provided to Mr. Melgar. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Symphony of the Mountains, 1200 E. Center St., Kingsport, TN 37660 or Barter Theatre, PO Box 867, Abingdon, VA 24212. Mr. Melgar and his family are under the care of Farris Funeral and Cremation Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.