By O’Dette Havel
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 1989
reprinted from El Paso Times
More than 500 friends and relatives sang parts of the Mass for the dead, accompanied by the velvety warmth of a mariachi band. Services for the beloved and respected El Paso artist were more uplifting than mournful.
"His greatest masterpiece will be the art of his life and the way he lived it," Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas said in his homily. "He gave us a glimpse of the art of life and the promises of God."
Acosta, 68, was found bludgeoned to death Wednesday in his El Paso home. Cesar Najera Flores of Juarez, who admitted killing Acosta, is being held in Juarez.
The artist’s casket entered the church to a chorus of singers. It was blessed by Bañuelas.
A pallbearer handed out replicas of the brown paper sack hats the late painter wore as his trademark. Men popped them on their heads; women clutched them with some reverence. Pallbearers and others already were wearing the hats as the Mass began at 1:30 p.m.
Early in the service, Luis Dominguez saluted his longtime friend, saying Acosta never forgot his roots in Mexico. Dominguez proved his point by displaying some of the artist’s props: the familiar hats, pottery, a serape, maracas, a guitar. The guitar and maracas are typical musical instruments of Mexico; the serape offers comfort and protection; the hat was his symbol, Dominguez said.
He explained the origin of the hat: Acosta had started a new job and would carry his lunch. As the day grew hotter, he began to sweat. The paper bag hat was a solution.
For Bañuelas, Acosta’s hat stood for something else. "Today, his paper hat is a crown of glory," he said.
Bañuelas led prayers: "Remember Manuel, welcome him into your kingdom… There we hope to share your glory."
Several hundred people followed Acosta’s flag-draped casket to Fort Bliss National Cemetery where he was buried and honored with a 21-gun salute. Then the flag that covered the coffin was folded into a tight triangle and given to the artist’s sister, Nina Acosta.
The weather was cool, with s slight breeze, but the sky was clear and blue: perfect light for painting.
Friends were invited to put their paper hats on top of the casket in tribute. Just one did, next to a single rose, a plastic cowboy hat and paper poppies from Veterans of Foreign Wars units. Acosta served in the Air Force during World War II.
The one hat brought a message from a friend: "Manny: You will paint the heavens and the sky. You may be gone in body, but not soul. For this I will never say goodbye."