Ricardo Alvarez

Memorial services for Ricardo ""Ricky"" Alvarez, Jr., 86, of Hudson will be held Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Hershel Bearden and Chaplain Alex Montilla officiating. Memorial services for friends and business associates will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 7410 Sunset Drive, Miami, Florida 33143. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Ricky was born December 7, 1923 in Camaguey, Cuba to the late Pino (Del Rio) and Ricardo Alvarez, Sr., and died Thursday, November 25, 2010 at his residence, in the arms of his loving wife.

With the desire to see his son get ahead in life, Ricky's father arranged for a friend in New Orleans to receive him as he arrived by ship from Havana, Cuba in the year of 1940. From there Ricky headed north to Wabash College in Indiana and would later marry Dorothy Wilkins. Together they raised four children (sons, Ricky III and Daniel Dean and daughters, Linda and Cathy).

Ricky served from 1944-1947 in the U.S. Navy, and had the honor of serving under Admiral Chester Nimitz aboard the USS Missouri in the Pacific during World War II. When his service was complete he left San Francisco, California to come to Miami, Florida. Upon arrival in Miami and looking for a job, he went to the USO office and asked if they had any job openings, and with his knowledge of Miami he was offered a job as driver for one of the military wives that visited the wounded soldiers each day at the local Veterans Hospital (now known as the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida). The military wife he would later learn was Mrs. Chester Nimitz.

Ricky had a passion for hard work. He was instrumental in construction in the Florida Keys as well as Marco Island. Later his career of over 40 years in the aviation industry started at Air Associates in Miami, followed by Van Dusen Aircraft and as partner in Universal Export. He retired from Ryder Aviall in 1994 and with his wife Celia by his side, formed Univex International, exporting helicopter and aircraft parts to South America. Ricky was well known and respected by everyone in the industry for his caring heart, outgoing nature and strong sense of responsibility. He had an incredibly strong work ethic and committed to taking care of his clients, because as he put it, ""they were his friends before they were his clients"".

Ricky always had a positive outlook and was always willing to lend a helping hand to help others get ahead. He was a modest man who always treated others with respect and dignity. As a result, he touched the lives of many people. Ricky was a true gentleman, which is how he won the heart of his beloved wife Celia. Theirs was a true love story from the beginning and they would share the next 23 years seldom apart. His favorite quote was from Mark Twain, ""Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream and discover with a friend as he is one who knows you as you are and understands where you have been"".

Ricky is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Celia (Shaw) Alvarez of Hudson; sons, Ricky Alvarez and wife Claudine of Jamestown City, Florida and Danny Alvarez and wife Sharon of Miami, Florida; daughters, Linda Mahoney of Miami, Florida and Cathy Alvarez of Knoxville, Tennessee; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; parents-in-law, Ralph and Joann Conger of Hudson; brother-in-law, Lee Shaw and wife Cheryl of Lufkin; a host of nieces and nephews; extended family, the John William (Bill) Temple, Sr. family, Joan, Bill, Jr., Anna, Trevor and wife Tabitha and Blake, all of Lufkin; and his faithful companion, Zorro.

In addition to his parents, Ricky is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Alvarez; brother, Danny Alvarez; brother-in-law, Duane Shaw; and faithful companions, Scooter and Honeybiscuit.

The family desires to express their sincere and heartfelt appreciation and deep gratitude to Drs. Carlton Lewis and Cynthia Ayala, also the administration, nursing staff and home health care team from Hospice in the Pines, as well as his caretakers, Jessica Proctor and Peggy Gilder for their dedicated and loving care provided to Ricky and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice in the Pines, 116 South Raguet Street, Lufkin, Texas 75904 or The Alzheimer's Association, 2242 West Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030-2008.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors