Hugo A. Duarte

Beloved singer songwriter musician Hugo A. Duarte, age 59, of the Wilmington, North Carolina area, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family into the hands of the Lord, on Thursday, November 7, 2014.
Hugo was born in Greenville, South Carolina, son of Gwendolyn C. and Hugo A. Duarte. His childhood was spent on the campus of North Greenville College where his parents resided. He attended the University of North Carolina Charlotte before becoming a professional musician.
Hugo toured the United States as a solo performer, but he also played frequently with his group, the Full Sail Band. He recorded 5 CDs of his original music. He worked with numerous notable musicians, including Jimmy Buffett, ?Fingers? Taylor, Russ Kunkel, Michael Utley, and Larry M. Lee. Hugo composed music for a film about Robert E. Harrill, ?The Fort Fisher Hermit? including the song, ?A Nickel and a Bad Name.? Some of his compositions are historical in nature, including ?Legend?, ?Hollywood?, ?Song of the Sea?, and ?Ring the Bells.? He developed an extensive network of devoted friends and fans.
Hugo was an avid golfer, a talented photographer, and an aficionado of Civil War history.
He is survived by his mother Gwendolyn C. Duarte and was preceded in death by his father, Hugo A. Duarte. He is also survived by his daughter Sarah Billings ( Jonathan,) grandchildren Isabella Grace, Jaxon Grindel, and Hadley Hope, sister Louise McLain (Phil) their children Phillip, Richard, Erik, and Jennifer, and beloved girlfriend Anne Marie Wotkyns.
Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends of Hugo, Inc, and mailed to 2316 S.17th Street, Suite 140 PMB 215, Wilmington, NC 28401.