Funeral arrangements set for longtime Indian Trail mayor who died after cancer battle

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — The funeral arrangements for Michael Alvarez, the former mayor of Indian Trail, have been announced.

Alvarez will lie in state at the Indian Trail Town Hall, in the Shirley Howe Room, on Friday from noon to 8 p.m.

His visitation and funeral will be held Saturday at First Baptist Church on Indian Trail-Fairview Road. The visitation starts at 3 p.m. and will be followed by the funeral at 4 p.m.

Alvarez, 52, was in his third term as mayor of Indian Trail after he was first elected in 2011, the town said in a Facebook post.

He died Wednesday morning surrounded by friends and family after battling cancer, a town spokesperson said.

“He ran for mayor as a way to make a difference for future generations and make a positive impact on the community,” the town’s post said. “His goal was to work for the people and help solve problems in the community. It is safe to say that throughout his decade as mayor, he accomplished those goals and more.”

>>For more details on how you can pay your respects, click here.

Alvarez was known for being easy to contact and always willing to help. He was a strong advocate for Indian Trail and its residents, attending all town events and interacting with as many people as possible.

In his time as mayor, Alvarez started the Mayor’s Tree Education Initiative to discuss tree and environmental education with local students, the town’s release said. He was eager to talk to students about local government and his job as mayor.

“Mayor Michael Alvarez, known to most by just Michael, approached every challenge with courage, kindness, and humor,” the Facebook post said. “Even during his toughest health battles, he never stopped working for the residents of Indian Trail. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and his loss will be felt by the entire community.”

According to a spokesperson, the town council will appoint someone to fill the mayor’s position for the remaining two years of his term.

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