Francisco "Perry" Alvarez Jr., the longtime owner of Alfredo's Italian Restaurant, has died. Alvarez, 76, passed away Feb. 22.

Born March 3, 1943 in Havana, Cuba, Alvarez arrived in the U.S. at age 18.

In Atlanta, he was best known as the face of Alfredo's, an Italian restaurant that operated more than 40 years at 1989 Cheshire Bridge Road. Alvarez joined the restaurant in 1977 as a partner, then bought out the other partners in the mid-1980s. He retired when the restaurant closed in 2016.

Alfredo “Perry” Alvarez Jr., owner of Alfredo's, talks with diners April 25, 2016, the last night the Cheshire Bridge Road fixture was open. The Italian restaurant opened in 1974. Ben Gray / bgray@ajc.com
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The last few years, he had been in declining health, according to his son Francisco Alvarez III. The pair worked together at the family-run business the last 11 years that the restaurant was in operation.

Besides Francisco Alvarez III, Alvarez Jr. is survived by daughter-in-law Audra Alvarez, and grandsons Joseph Perry Alvarez and Andrew Frasier Alvarez.

Visitation will be held March 7 from 9:30-11 a.m., at Floral Hills Funeral Home at 3150 Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker, followed immediately by funeral services in the funeral home chapel.

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