Jacksonville, FL (March 9, 2021) – Council Member Becton introduced an emergency resolution honoring the life of Jacksonville Native and previous Jacksonville City Council Member, Warren T. Alvarez, who served on council for terms, 1999-2003 & 2003-2007.
“It was an honor to be able to introduce this resolution for former Council Member Warren Alvarez,” Council Member Becton stated. “Warren will be missed and remembered for his dedication to this city and his northside community over the many years that he served. Warren was active up to his passing serving on the JIA CRA Advisory Board. This is where we meet and served together prior to my first election.”
The resolution 2021-164 passed City Council on March 9th as an emergency and co-sponsored by the 18 others on City Council, Council Members Salem, Ferraro, Freeman, White, Carlucci, Hazouri, Pittman, Dennis, Newby, Bowman, Boylan, Carrico, Cumber, DeFoor, Diamond, Gaffney, Morgan, and Priestly
Jackson.
Warren T. Alvarez passed away March 6, 2021 at the age 86 in the city he was born and raised, graduating from Andrew Jackson High School and taking courses at the University of Florida. From growing up and working on his family’s dairy, Alvarez Dairy, to creating a life in the dairy business, his rural experience and background opened many doors that allowed him to serve various communities and hold multiple roles over his 86 years spent on earth.
According to the resolution, Alvarez was “a recognized leader in the field of agriculture in Florida, include serving as president and board member of the Duval County Farm Bureau for 44 years, President and charter member of the Duval County Cattlemen’s Association for 36 years, past director of the Upper Florida Milk Producer’s Association, the Duval County 4-H Club Foundation, and long-time service on the Florida Farm Bureau.”
He also had a passion to serve his city was civically active, “especially on Jacksonville’s Northside, serving as acting supervisor for the Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District for 22 years, Chairman of the Jacksonville – Duval County Agricultural Council; Chairman of the Mayor’s Agricultural Advisory Board, Chairman of the North Citizens’ Planning Advisory Committee, Blue Ribbon Crime Commission, Jacksonville Comprehensive Growth Management Committee and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors, among many others.
With a lifetime of knowledge and experience in business civic, Alvarez took it to the next step and ran for the office of City Council and was elected to represent, what was then also called District 11 but in a different area of Jacksonville. He was re-elected and filled the Council District seat for a 2nd term, 2003-2007.
“Mr. Alvarez was an active and effective council member, offering wise counsel with his trademark folksy humor, and he was the recipient of the 2003-2004 Charles D. Webb Award, the City Council’s most prestigious internal honor. Alvarez continued to be a welcome presence in the City Council office until the time of his recent passing, visiting with staff and council members from time to time and sharing the bounty of his orchards in citrus season along with observations about the state of the city and the government.”
“One of many things that Warren will be missed was his yearly visit to City Council in sharing the orange satsumas that he grew and offered to everyone at city hall.” Council Member Becton remembering. “This would give us all a chance to say hello and talk about the many events taking place in the northside and how he still cared to help shepherd those causes.”.
The Florida Times Union referenced a statement Alvarez when he ran for his 2nd term for City Council in 2003, “You hate to see old things go, but without growth, a community will start dying.”
He represented what was then District 11, but a separate area of Jacksonville before the changes from the 2011 redistricting moved it to the Southside. According to the FTU article, he touted his work improving the area’s parks and adding fire stations.” Two areas Councilman Becton relates to.
“Warren was a dedicated public servant of the City of Jacksonville and it is with great honor that I had the opportunity to get to know him, work with him and express this acknowledgement of the council body.” Council Member Becton exclaimed.
A celebration of life service was held for him on Friday, March 12, 2021 at Peeples Funeral Home with an invitation to anyone who wanted to attend. The viewing was held the evening before the service for his family and close friends. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Alvarez, his two daughters, Elizabeth and Ronnie Nessler and Karen & Rick Hurst, two grandsons, Chad Hurst and Jared Hurst, and wife, Amber, and their daughter, Kynlee Hurst, Alvarez’s only great grandchild. Alvarez also has three brothers, Ted Alvarez, Ray Alvarez and his wife, Joyce and Robin Alvarez and his wife, Linda and several nieces, nephews, and friends.