Alejandro "Alex" Alvarez

Alejandro “Alex” Alvarez, 61, passed away peacefully at home, with his loved ones by his side, on June 4, 2015, in Albuquerque, NM. Alex was born on December 27, 1953, in Roswell, NM, to Manuel and Lorenza Macias Alvarez. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 8, 2015 and Tuesday, June 9, 2015 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home Chapel. A Rosary will be recited Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 7:00 PM, following the visitation. Deacon Frank Lunsford of St. Peter’s Catholic Church will officiate. A Funeral Service is scheduled on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 10:00 AM, at St. John’s Catholic Church. Deacon Ernesto Martinez will officiate. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery in Roswell, NM. Attending Pecos Elementary school for six years, Alex advanced to Mesa Middle school for two years. He then attended Roswell High school for four years in combination with attending the Upward Bound summer program for three years located at Eastern New Mexico University-Portales until graduation from both in 1972. During his high school years, he met the love of his life, Alice Gonzales. Alex pursued her until she accepted his marriage proposal and they married on August 16, 1975. After high school, he worked at Gibson Discount store as an Assistant Manager for eight years, until the unfortunate closure of the store. He then went to work for the New Mexico Transportation Company for four years, until the company changed owners. Alex then worked for Eastern New Mexico Medical Center as a certified Surgical Technician and Massage therapist for twenty years. During his time at the hospital, he worked under the direction of Dr. James Boss, where he boasted that Dr. Boss was “one of the greatest orthopedic surgeons he had ever met”. He said, “Dr. Boss taught me direction, discipline, patience, and good work ethic. Dr. Boss took my hand and guided me through basics and principles of orthopedic surgery, sending me on numerous conferences to expand my knowledge in orthopedics.” Throughout Alex’s career at ENMC, he was selected as a member of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1995. Also, while residing in Roswell, Alex was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree, member of the Delta Sigma Pi International business fraternity, and a Lector and CCD teacher at St. John’s Catholic Church. After retirement from ENMMC, Alex wanted more advancement in his career, so he transferred to the University of New Mexico Hospital, in Albuquerque, NM, in July 1997. There he resumed manager of the Sterile Processing Department for five years, advancing his techniques in disinfection sterile processing. Upon managing the department, Alex went back to the operating room, where he concentrated his studies in learning more about orthopedic techniques until he finally retired in November 2014. During his tenure, Alex received employee of the year 2013. Alex loved working in his yard, attending to his flowers, trees, and fountains. He loved finding hidden treasures at thrift stores and antiques stores. Those treasures could later be found displayed throughout his home. He enjoyed the company of family, friends, and co-workers, to include his attendees, nurses and “residents”, which he would jokingly call “our babies”. Alex said, that “before any of the above achievements, while residing in Roswell, I achieved two of my greatest accomplishments, the birth of my children, Brandon and Alura Alvarez. They both have made me very proud!” He is preceded in death by his father, Manuel Alvarez; brothers: Manuel Alvarez Jr, and Juan Alvarez, Roger and ex-wife Sally Cereceras Alvarez Morones; sisters: Irma Molinar and husband George, and Julia Luna; mother-in-law, Carlotta Gonzales; and brother-in-law, Raymond L Gonzales. Those left to carry on his legacy are his wife, Alice Gonzales Alvarez, of Albuquerque, NM; son, Brandon Alvares and wife Amanda and their children, Joel Anthony, Xavier, Marivel, Angel, Sayra, Luchiano, and Alicia Alvarez; daughter, Alura Alvarez and fiancé Anthony Sanchez and their children, Leila Lopez and Alexandro ”Alex” Sanchez; brother, Jesse Alvarez and wife Ruth; sisters: Grace Alvarez, Sandra Alvarez, Maria Salas, and husband Natividad, Mona Olivas and husband Natividad “Curly” (deceased); father-in-law, Raymond D Gonzales; brother-in-law, Joe (Jo Jo) Gonzales. Also surviving Alex are numerous nephews, nieces and God-children. Alex’s family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Haywood and Dr. Rivero. A special Thank You to Dr. Demerest, Dr. Katherine Morris, Dr. A. Rajput, Jill Foster, and the Hospice staff and nurse, Melissa Filer. Pallbearers will be Alex (Rey) Alvarez, Jesus Alvarez Jr, Hector Alvarez, Joseph Lopez, Chris Lopez, Manuel Torres, Jorge Molinar Jr, Roger Alvarez Jr, Eric Carmona, Juan Alvarez Jr, Raymond Gonzales Jr, and Milo Garcia Jr. Close friends of the family have set up a memorial fund account at Wells Fargo Bank, please make donations in the name of Alex Alvarez. A reception honoring Alex will be held at the Knights of Columbus hall, at 900 East 23rd Street, following the burial at South Park Cemetery. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register at andersonbethany.com. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Alejandro "Alex" Alvarez

December 27, 1953 - June 4, 2015