Joseph Alvarez

Dr. Joseph Alvarez, Sr., 99, of Oakland died on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at his home. Born on September 2, 1920, in Zeising,WV, he was the son of the late Manuel and Maria Alvarez. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen Marie (MacIvor) Alvarez and siblings, Josephine Alvarez, Mildred Alvarez, and Manuel Alvarez Jr.

Dr. Joe met his future wife, Kathleen, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was a surgical resident and she was a student nurse. They were married in Boston on November of 1945, just before he was deployed as a military surgeon at the end of World War II. He returned to Baltimore and then Phillipi, WV to complete his surgical training. He moved to Garrett County to start his practice as the first general surgeon at the hospital in 1952. He continued to practice for over 40 years. He was a dedicated surgeon, devoting much of his life to the care of his community. He continued to discuss medicine and surgery with a passion for perfection up to last few weeks of his life. He was the original adventurer; becoming a pilot, going on safari in Africa, going behind the Iron Curtain, and solo multi-week trips to Alaska, all before trips like these were popular.

He is survived by his children, Mary Kathleen Sadighi (Dr. Parvis Sadighi), Joseph Alvarez Jr., John Harvey Alvarez Sr. (Julie Alvarez), Dr. Dona Alvarez (Dr. Marjorie Fridkin), Jean Alvarez, and Jaime Alvarez (Vicki Carlson); grandchildren, Sheila Sadighi, Joseph Sadighi (Annalisa Bracco-Sadighi), Katie Alvarez Gibson (Beau Gibson), Matthew Alvarez (Cody Alvarez), Emily Alvarez, Nancy Alvarez Green (Brady Green), Carolyn Alvarez, John Harvey Alvarez Jr. (Katie Zanger Alvarez), and Jaime Alvarez; and great grandchildren, Leyla Sadighi, Celeste and Davide Sadighi, Keller and Ryan Green, Angus and Amelia Alvarez, Clark and MacLean Gibson, and Graham Alvarez.

Private family graveside services was held on Sunday, February 16, 2020.

Memorials may be made to Cindy’s Fund, PO Box 182, Oakland, MD 21550 or the Sanibel-Captive Conservation Foundation, 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957.The C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland is honored to be assisting the Alvarez family.