Miguel Angel Alvarez, affectionately known as “Miguelito”, 73, of Denton, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, May 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born September 1, 1951 in Guanajay, Cuba to the late Felipe Alvarez and Flora Rodriguez. He attended some college in Cuba, before escaping Castro’s communist regime with his family in the early 80s. While growing up he enjoyed playing baseball and aspired to study business administration. After arriving in the US in 1981, he owned several businesses with his cousins in Elizabeth, NJ, including a local bodega which he managed for many years before transferring his family to Miami where most of his extended family had already migrated to. In south Florida, Miguel owned his own furniture delivery and moving company called Mike’s Mudanzas. Miguelito enjoyed spending time with family, playing dominoes and traveling. He had hoped to travel one last time to Cuba before passing away.

In addition to his parents, Miguel was preceded in death by his first wife, Pilar Alvarez, after she battled an 8-year metastatic breast cancer; and his brother, Eduardo Alvarez of Miami, FL; and numerous close cousins, aunts and uncles.

He later married his current wife, Yordanka Socarras in 2021, after the couple moved to NC, to be close to his children and grandchildren. She has been his loving companion and caregiver during all his recent health struggles including multiple strokes.

Miguel is survived by his wife, Yordanka Socarras; daughter, Elena Ramirez (husband Ricardo) of Denton, NC; his son Samuel Alvarez (wife Betty), of Liberty, NC; his stepson Yoilan Vaillant, of Santiago, Cuba; his three beloved grandchildren, Sebastian Ramirez, Leilani Ramirez and Daniel Alvarez; his older brother Carlos Alvarez, of Hialeah, FL; his younger sister, Maria Elena Vazquez, of Forked River, NJ; and several aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a funeral mass and burial held at 10am on Thursday, May 29, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147.

Condolences can be mailed to 1047 S. Main Street Ext., Denton, NC 27239 or posted online.

Carolina Cremation is assisting the Alvarez family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.