Antonio Alvarez

Antonio Tony Alvarez, 82, of Great Falls, passed away on February 7, 2016.Visitation will be Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Tony was born in Cameron County, Texas to Rafael and Andrea (Torres) Alvarez. He spent his early years as a migrant farmworker picking cotton. He was also a ranch hand at a large cattle yard in Edinburgh, Texas. He ran away from his older brother while working on a ranch in Wyoming and made his way to Great Falls where he was able to get a job as a laborer with the Great Northern Railroad in 1950. While working in Great Falls, he met and married Cleo Marie Garfield. Of this union, three children were born: Marie Antonette Toni, Sherri Lee, and Daniel Rafael Alvarez. They divorced in 1965. He corresponded with Dominga Alvarez from Edcouch, Texas. He returned to Texas and married her. Of this union, Antonio Alvarez Jr. was born. He later adopted Domingas son, Hector Eloy. They became one big, blended family. He stayed with the railroad, retiring from Burlington Northern in 1994 at the age of 60.He enjoyed watching game shows and old westerns. He loved taking his faithful companion, a min pin named Cowboy, for rides around town. He loved visiting his daughter, Sheri in Rapid City where they visited all the old ghost towns. His grandchildren were his pride and joy.Tony is survived by his brother, Florentino of California and two sisters, Angelita Gutierrez and Maria (Mela) Greene both of Texas.He was preceded in death by wife, Domingo Alvarez; brothers Jose, Trino, Rafael Jr., Gilberto, Andres, and Alberto; and one great great-grandson Zayden Martinez.Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.