Pio Alvarez, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2013, at his home in Winder, Georgia, in the caring hands of his wife of 63 years, Juana Duran Suarez Alvarez, age 81, and his family. He was born on July 11, 1922, in Lajas, Cuba, to Teodoro and Lugarda Alvarez and was one of eleven siblings, with 4 brothers and 6 sisters. He was the last living member of his immediate family.
He and Juana had 2 daughters and 4 sons. He was predeceased by his precious daughters while still in Cuba. In 1968, he and his family immigrated to the United States, beginning a new journey in Atlanta, Georgia. Pio retired in 1994 after working 41 years in Cuba and working double shifts for 26 years at Owens-Illinois, Incorporated in East Point, Georgia. Following retirement, he and his wife then moved to Winder, Georgia, to be closer to their sons and grandchildren. In his later years, he began to seek God through the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Pio is survived by his wife, Juana Alvarez; his sons and daughter-in-laws: Pio E. and Marlene Alvarez, Luisito Alvarez, Rolando E. and Ramona Alvarez, and Esteban and Tina Alvarez; including 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Pio was an incredibly loving, generous and social being with a great sense of humor and no stranger to hard work. Aside from enjoying his well-deserved daily naps, he lived a long healthy life, never neglecting moments of laughter and love, enjoying great food, watching wrestling events, dancing, gardening, visiting family and friends. Pio is dearly missed but resides in God's mind and is awaiting his name to be called on the day of resurrection.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 from 6-9pm at Smith Funeral Home, 755 Atlanta Hwy SE, Winder, GA 30680 (770-867-4553). Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 2pm. Burial to follow at Barrow Memorial Gardens (beside Smith Funeral Home), 793 Atlanta Hwy SE, Winder, Ga 30680.
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