Abraham A. Alvarez, Sr. Obituary (1937 - 2022)

Abraham A. Alvarez Sr., 85, of Brooklyn, N.Y., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell, N.J., on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church, Caldwell, on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., immediately followed by the interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Born in Brooklyn, New York, where he was a resident most of his life, Abe Alvarez was a devoted family man who cherished all he knew. During his early life, his mother Candita Ortiz Alvarez died when he was about 10 years old. His father, Gonzalo Alvarez, suffered from trauma in World War II in which he served and was unable to raise him. His paternal aunt, Mercedes Alvarez, took charge of his care. He grew up with her and his cousin Maria Mercedes Gonzalez. He spent some of his childhood in Newark, New Jersey where he attended St Charles Borromeo grade school. He then moved to Dayton, Ohio where he graduated from Chaminade High School. He later served in the Navy during peacetime where he was stationed at US Naval Training Center at Bainbridge, Maryland. He had an amazing heart and a love for all people. His kindness extended to his neighbors with whom he was caring and generous. He was an avid New York Sports fan. He loved to listen to WFAN sports radio. He loved the Brooklyn Dodgers, the New York Mets, the New York Knicks and the New York Jets. He enjoyed taking his family to baseball and basketball games. He always emphasized the importance of education as well as a genuine concern for the underprivileged. Abe also loved audiobooks and learning. When his children were little, bedtime consisted of memorizing the multiplication tables, spelling words and reading books. He always wanted to make sure that his children were well educated so they could not only help themselves but others less fortunate. When his grandchildren were very young, they impressed others with their knowledge of geography, history, chess, dominoes, movies and music especially the classics such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Tony Benett thanks to their Papa. He enjoyed listening to his grandchildren play the piano and was often found tickling the ivories himself. He even had a huge effect with his work colleagues. He was very self-motivated and tried his best to be an inspiration to those in his charge by encouraging them to always follow their dreams. Before retirement, he was employed as Supervisor for Allied Graphic Arts in New York City for many years. He was much loved by our family dog, Peanut who will miss him immensely. He made sure to be with us during our nightly family rosary in which he always said the fourth decade. He always inspired us to stay close to God and reminded us not to be afraid and that we were always surrounded by angels. He is preceded in death by his daughter Anne Celia Alvarez, his parents Candita Ortiz Alvarez and Gonzalo Alvarez, his paternal aunt Mercedes Alvarez, his cousin Maria Merecedes Gonzalez and much-loved son in law, Michael Connors Sr. The beloved husband of 62 years to Celia (nee Hernandez) Alvarez, he was the loving father of Abraham Alvarez Jr. and his wife, Michelle, Maria Alvarez-Ballway and her husband, William Ballway and Shirley Devlin and her husband Keith. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Caleb Alvarez, Isa (Anthony) Cobb, Mya Alvarez, Michelle (Octavio) Marin, Joshua (fiance Sarah) Ballway, Jacob Ballway, Benjamin Ballway, Michael (Janine)Connors Jr., Matthew (Kimberly)Connors, Liam (fiancee Becca) Connors, and Melissa Connors, and adored great grandchildren Michaella, Grace, Brynn, Layla, Antonio, Hannah and Henry. He inspired each and everyone of us to be the best we could be, to work hard, and to love deeply. Abe, Abram, Abraham, Daddy, Papa, Padrino, Tio, and friend loved all to the fullest and will be forever loved and cherished. May God keep Abraham in the palm of His hand.