Edgar

EDGAR BARROS (1978-2003)

Edgar was a graduate of UMass Amherst class of 2000. He served as the President (98-99) and Treasurer (99-00) of CVSA. He was an individual who felt that he had to give back to the community. His sympathy and smile will not be forgotten by many, but what made Edgar shine was his love for the Cape Verdean culture. By sharing with us his love and admiration of the Cape Verdean culture, he instilled in us the true meaning of being Cape Verdean. He set forth the true goals of CVSA; “commitment to the preservation of Cape Verdean culture and history.” He will be remembered for his hard work and dedication to CVSA. To many, Edgar is the definition of what CVSA is all about. He was a father, a brother, an educator, a mentor, a supporter…he was our Edgar. He will remain in our hearts and memories forever.

caboverdeonline.com | September 6th, 2003

Destiny had it this way. Edgar Barros, 25 years old, young and successful real estate entrepreneur was born and raised in America but was to die in the land that symbolized his parents: the volcano of Fogo.

Everything happened so quick on the morning of August 30 when Edgar was descending from a successful climbing of the majestic peak. Tragically, he stepped on a rock that proved to be loose, slipped down the hill and the same rock later hit his head and killed him instantaneously.

According to two friends that accompanied him to the peak of “vulcan di Fogo,” Edgar was a proud man and pronounced his last words before descending: “I have reached all my dreams, I am ready to go”, and then turned to one of them and said: “has anyone ever died in this volcano?” As destiny had it, Edgar was actually the first fatal accident ever to take place from climbing the breath taking mountain. He was buried in S. Lorenzo cemetery, a place he always wished he was born.

Edgar was born in Boston, February 1978, when parents Manuel and Adelina Barros, in their return from the hospital with baby Edgar had to overcome a snow blizzard by foot because transportation was inoperable due to road conditions and state of emergency.

At 25, Edgar Barros was a role model for the young Capeverdeans and a promising businessman and community leader. He attended and finished his high school education at Brockton High in 1996 where he later returned as a teacher after graduating from UMass-Amherst and served in the Army.

Always enterprising, in March of 2003 he started to operate “full time”, as a real estate agent after founding Allied Capital Mortgage Corporation with childhood friend and partner Hamilton Rodrigues.

In Cape Verde, he acquired lands in the city of Praia and the tourism area of Tarrafal. The trip to Fogo was to evaluate possible investment opportunities. “To achieve success you have to perform at the highest levels,” was his favorite words to friends and family members.

Endowed with great Cape Verdean spirit, he always expressed himself in Kriolu and made it a point that his daughter also learned and spoke the language. He was fascinated by Cape Verde’s culture and history. In college, he assumed leadership roles with student associations and also served as editor of the school journal. He used his influences to promote and organize lectures on Cape Verde’s egend Amilcar Cabral, a man that he admired and called his hero.