I first met Ray in `93, on Killili Beach, when he was my age now. From that first meeting he was a friend ever since. My time on Saipan was better because I knew him. Through all we go through in life, I, along with many others can say, “Ray, you helped me when my chips were down.” I will always hold you in my heart Ray. You were the courageous one!
If anybody sat and talked with Ray, you know he had a myriad stories and he enjoyed life. The guy did everything from the brave to the adventurous.
Did anybody ride a motorcycle on Saipan for the first time because he was the Suzuki dealer? From People’s Park to the Marpi Racetrack and now out at the Cowtown raceway. I am very happy to have been able to produce two Motorcross TV shows with him on the Tao Tao Sports Network or TTSN. I made that name up and he loved it.
That was the brave. The Adventurous? How about this; before my time on Saipan, Ray Alvarez was the first man to hang-glide from Saipan to Tinian. I think the record still holds, but you can ask Ryo Okawa and others about that.
I liked Ray, Linda and Tioni so much, when it was time to name my only daughter, born on Saipan, my wife said she wanted to name her Tioni, I was more than happy to do it.
The stories could go on and on.
The island economy took a turn for the worse in 2005 and I had to leave that beautiful place. But I returned to Saipan for a visit in the summer of 2009. Upon learning I was going to go back, I called him first to tell him my family would be coming back home to visit. And no return visit would be complete if I didn’t see him. He took us back out to Managaha with Bear and we all had a nice time. We also had dinner at his place, sashimi and Budweiser. I knew he had an incredible experience with a battling cancer earlier as we talked on the phone frequently during his ordeal, he in the Bay area, and me in Lake Havasu. He courageously finished his treatment and called me to say he was going back home to be with his family. I told him I would see him there. I was so glad to see him again. And he looked good. That night at his place we talked about a lot of things. He cared about his family and his great grandfather status. He had done so much, seen so much, and he was fine for himself. It was everyone else he thought about and wanted to make sure we’re going to be OK. He thought about everyone else.
Recently, we hadn’t spoke much, as you know that happens when you’re separated for long periods and distances, and you get busy with life. But, we agreed we’d meet again on another return visit to Saipan. And now, while that reunion will not happen, I can only hope that in the hereafter, we’ll meet again. On another beach where there is no slack time in banana boating, parachuting, waterskiing, snorkeling, and the rest of the best marine sports packages he was so famous for creating. And it will be on the best of sunny days forever. And I’ll walk onto the beach and he’ll be there with that big smile and comforting hug and handshake. And he’ll kindly explain to me about what I should expect on that new beach. And how to know and understand the people and culture there, just as he did when we first met, a conversation that forever helped me while on Saipan and since ever since.
To his brothers Manny and Cuki and you’re families, to his sons Cuki and Boss, and their families, to beautiful Tioni, Josenio, and Linda, my sincere condolences for your loss. He is missed by many and remembered by everyone.
So, as he wanted, if I ever got the news of his passing, I’ll be beachside in Seal Beach, California. (Sure ain’t Saipan but it’s close enough for me) with sashimi and a beer and toasting to one of the best men in my life; my brother, Raymond Bo Alvarez. You will always be in my heart.
KEN MCKINNEY, MIHARU AND TIONI
Buena Park, Ca.
