For a person schooled in Spanish and unable to speak a word of English when he arrived in the United States in 1943 with his family, Leo Alvelais made it to the top. He became a City Councilman and Mayor of Union City.
Mr. Alvelais was born on January 31, 1918 in Chihuahua, Mexico. In order to provide better educational opportunities for his children, he left his native country and moved to California in the early 1940's accompanied by his wife Emilia and their small children, Leo Jr., Luis Raul and Emilia Esther.
In Oakland in 1943, Mr. Alvelais became involved in the war effort, working in various shipyards in the East Bay. Two more children were born in California: Michael in 1946 and Roberto, in 1959. His community involvement activities were numerous, helping to make Union City what it is today. He still lives in Union City.
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