Dr. Gabriel Alvarez Lacayo

A visitation for Gabriel will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, KATY, TX 77494.

Funeral Mass

St. Faustina Catholic Church

28102 FM 1093, Fulshear, TX 77441

October, 13, 2023

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Graveside Service

Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery

12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077

281-497-2330

October, 13, 2023

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.katyfh.com for the Alvarez family.

Our beloved father Dr. Gabriel Alvarez Lacayo, M.D. passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 30, 2023 in Katy, Texas. He is now reunited with his loving wife of 63 years, the late Esperanza Alvarez. He always said the secret of their happiness was not because he chose her, but rather because God put her in his path. Their marriage was a perfect example of love.

He was born on November 18, 1929 in Granada, Nicaragua to the late Miguel Angel and Elvira Alvarez. He graduated from the Jesuit-run Colegio Centro America and later became a Medical Doctor at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN). Immigrating to the United States in the late 1950’s, he married in Los Angeles, California where he had his oldest daughter. After a few years, he returned to Nicaragua where the rest of his children were born. Together with his wife, he took part in several diverse enterprises including a small pharmaceutical company, a retail pharmacy, and a tile manufacturing plant. He co-founded the former Hospital Privado Cocibolca in Granada, Nicaragua. In the early 1980’s, he brought his family back to the United States, moving to Miami, Florida first and then settling in the Houston Area.

He grew up surrounded by many family members and siblings with whom he was always close. As a kid, one of his aunts, Pacifica Alvarez, whom he would call saintly, planted in him the strong roots of his Catholic faith. A faith that was later augmented by his sister Lola and his son-in-law Francisco Arana. He never wavered. When his father was on his deathbed, he whispered the words “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” in his ears and considered it a blessing to be able to do so. He had the same opportunity to say it to his uncle Fernando, his sister Elena and his wife Esperanza. It was his dying wish to have the same words said to him on his deathbed. His daughters were blessed to have fulfilled his wish. He learned about St. Joseph during his last years of his life and developed a devotion to him. That devotion gave him the strength to overcome the death of his dearest wife and accept his illness. He had a strong will to live and retained this strength until his death. His favorite prayer was “Alma de Cristo,” a prayer his mother taught him to pray as a child, which he prayed all his life after receiving Communion.

He always considered it a priority to teach his children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and friends the importance of having faith in God as well as the importance of having a strong family bond. Making Nacatamales with his children and grandchildren was one of his favorite family traditions. Activities he enjoyed included listening to music with his wife, traveling with his family, watching soccer games with his grandchildren, discussing politics with his nephews and nieces and relaxing with his favorite dogs. He was a self-taught handyman and loved to build or fix things as a hobby.

His work ethic was exceptional, working two jobs for many years to help support his family. He believed in the power of education and was an avid reader and writer, having written several books. His words always left a lasting impression on anyone who had the good fortune to hear or read them.

He is survived by his children Gabriel Ignacio Alvarez (Elaine), Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez, M.D., and Maria Esperanza Hernandez, PharmD (Zef); his grandchildren, Francisco Arana (Natasha), Nila Arana, Gabriela Price (Michael), Oscar Rivera (Kayla), Ines Arana, Gabriel Alvarez, Miguel Arana, Rafael Arana, Sebastian Alvarez, Peter Alvarez, Sergio Alvarez and Alexander Alvarez; his great-grandchildren, Natasha Arana and Juliana Arana, Chase Price and Helena Price and another great-grandchild on the way. He is preceded in death by his wife Esperanza Alvarez, his daughters Maria Helena Arana and Esperancita Dolores Alvarez; his son-in-law Jose Francisco Arana and all of his siblings, Miguel, Elvira, Elena, Lola, Francisco and Teresita.

His insights and generosity will forever remain with those whose lives he touched. Heaven now rejoices because it has gained him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.katyfh.com for the Alvarez family.