Acosta, Armando Javier
September 23, 1952 - November 25, 2010
Armando "Mondo" Javier Acosta, a founding member of the band Saint Vitus has died. He was 58.
Armando, a San Pedro resident, passed away Thanksgiving morning on November 25, 2010 at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in San Pedro, California.
The eldest son of Jeronimo Calderon Acosta and Elia Cornejo Acosta, he grew up in West Los Angeles, attending Webster Junior High and Venice High School. He married high school sweetheart, Gloria Rubio, and enrolled in the Air Force as an Airman First Class.
Armando (drums) was a founding member of Tyrant, later Saint Vitus, an "influential American doom metal band" from Los Angeles and Dirty Red based in San Pedro. Armando's drum solos in his over 30 year music career prompted fans to shout out "Mondo" at concerts in the U.S. and Europe.
He was fascinated by seafaring lore of pirates and Vikings and collected replicas of period piece weaponry.
His long black hair, mustache, and leather jacket often caused crowds to part like the Red Sea while walking down main streets, recalled his sister Esmeralda. "They didn't know Armando was a gentle giant". He took in stray cats as well as friends in need throughout his life.
Armando is survived by son Jerry, four grandchildren, Mother Elia, Sister Esmeralda and Brothers Juan and Jorge, ex-wife Gloria, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles in Los Angeles, California, Torreon, Coahuila and Zacatecas, Mexico. He was predeceased by his Father Jeronimo in 2007.
We will miss him dearly and for those who didn't know him - you missed out!
Memorial Services held at Inglewood Mortuary, Inglewood, CA. Sat. Dec. 4th 2010 at 11:00am. Military Service with an Honor Guard Farewell will be held at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA, Wed. Dec. 8th, 9:30am. Interment will follow.
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Published in the Los Angeles Times from Dec. 3 to Dec. 4, 2010
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