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Manuel Chavez: Older brother of late UFW leader Cesar Chavez dies after battle with pancreatic cancer

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 1999

Contact: Richard Ybarra

(619)595-1850

421-6302

MANUEL CHAVEZ : OLDER BROTHER OF LATE UFW LEADER CESAR CHAVEZ DIES AFTER BATTLE WITH PANCREATIC CANCER

Rosary, Procession and Funeral Mass Set for Friday and Saturday

Manuel Chavez , 73, the older brother of the late United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, died Sunday evening after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Chavez, who was admitted to Paradise Valley Hospital on May 12, had been honored until his death with nightly candle light vigils led by dozens of local college students, labor leaders and community supporters.

San Diego funeral arrangements are:

Friday 8:15 p.m. Rosary

Saturday 9:00 a.m. Procession (8:15 Line up), 9:30 a.m. Mass

 Rosary and Mass at St. Jude’s Catholic Shrine, 1129 38th Street (619)264-2195, fax : 264-8528 Procession from Cesar Chavez Elementary School, 1404 South 40th Street to the church (half mile school is located two blocks south of church. Burial is scheduled at Glen Abby Memorial Park 3638 Bonita Rd. in Bonita –(619) 498-4600. Those attending will be invited to a post burial remembrance gathering at a place to be announced. The United Domestic Workers office at 263-7254 will begin handling inquiries from media and others.

Chavez, displayed for several weeks, as he had done with his brothers during his farmworker-organizing career, the resolve used in winning historic farm labor agreements throughout the Southwest and Florida. At bedside at his time of death were wife Lucina, sons Ricardo and Valeriano, daughter, Melinda, and brother Richard. Also present were his nephew Paul Chavez, wife Socorro and their four children, UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, United Domestic Workers President Ken Msemaji, and their family friend Richard Ybarra. Chavez sister, Rita Chavez-Medina had been at the hospital for two days and had left his side a few hours before his death.

UFW President Rodriguez in a statement said "Manuel in life as in death defeated the odds. He and Cesar did the impossible. They built the organization for poor people that stands as a tribute to their work. We are proud to follow his footsteps. His lessons in fearlessness freed the minds and hearts of hundreds of thousands of poor workers. His legacy will live on in the fight for dignity and justice."

 Chavez had been the recipient of cards, flowers and hundreds of letters and e-mails from throughout the country. US Congressman Bob Filner and San Diego City Councilman George Stevens visited Chavez at Paradise Valley Hospital. Those sending their respects included Cardinal Roger Mahoney of the Los Angeles Archidocese, California Governor Gray Davis, US Senators Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer, and Diane Feinstein, US Congressman Howard Berman, State Senator Steve Peace, Assemblyman Rod Wright, and SD City Councilman Juan Vargas.

 In special way Carinal Mahoney’s words to Manuel captured his contribution to our world. In it the Cardinal said, "Both you and Lucina, and your entire family have been wonderful leaders among the farmworker community over the years, and your example and witness of a deep Christian faith has been a source of inspiration and encouragement for all of us. In a special wayk, I entrust you into the hands of Christ the Healer, and I know that our Risen Lord will surround you with grace, strength and comfort during these days."