Carlos Alvarez

Deeply saddened and with broken hearts, the family of Carlos Alvarez, age 75, announce his untimely death caused by an aneurysm. On Saturday, February 15, 2014, he died peacefully and with dignity, as he would have wanted, surrounded by his wife, children and other family members. This extraordinary “prince of a guy” always lived with great passion, joy, flair, and admirable courage until the last moment of his sudden passing. Carlos was born on December 26, 1937 in Needles, California, and was the sixth of eight siblings. When he was seven, the family relocated to San Bernardino where he attended local schools. After high school, during the Korean Conflict, he served in the Army Air Force for four years, and was stationed at various bases, including eighteen months in Paris, France. When Carlos returned home to civilian life he worked at various jobs. In 1959, he married his wife, Shirley, and their marriage produced four children. Eventually, he became employed at Barker Bros, a prestigious, well-known, high-ended, Southern California furniture store as a driver, and worked for them for over twenty years. When the company went out of business, Carlos opted to retire. He stayed busy but found time to enjoy his growing family, pursue his various hobbies, which included going to the gym frequently, and as a mechanic buff of sorts, loved tinkering with cars.

Carlos was predeceased by his beloved parents, Marciano and Maria Alvarez; his sisters, Mercy Ponce and Lucy Gomez; two brothers, Alfred M. Alvarez, and Frank M. Alvarez; several nephews and brothers-in-law. He is survived by Shirley, his wife of 55 years; three daughters; Frances Alvarez, of San Bernardino; Elizabeth Alvarez, of Chino; Kathryn Cuevas, of Moreno Valley; and one son, Carlos Mark Alvarez, of Pomona; 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are three sisters; Ramona A. Colunga and Mary Louise A. Ortega, both of Colton; Josephine A. Partida, of Pomona; and a large number of nieces, nephews, “grands: and “greats”. On Monday February 24, 2014, a memorial service will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with rosary following thereafter, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Montecito Valley View Chapel, 3520 East Washington Street, Colton. On Tuesday, February 25, 2014, a burial mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1430 West 5th Street, San Bernardino, with interment thereafter, at Montecito Memorial Park. A reception will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2392 Western Ave, San Bernardino.