Alfred Flores
Alfred Flores | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alfred San Nicolas Flores June 20, 1916 |
| Died | February 6, 2009 (aged 92) |
| Resting place | Our Lady of Peace Memorial Gardens, Yona |
| Other names | Davy Crockett |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, lancheru |
| Organization | Democratic Party of Guam |
| Spouse | Ester Duenas |
Alfred San Nicolas Flores (June 20, 1916 - February 6, 2009)[1] was a Guamanian politician, lancheru and survivor of the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II.[2] He was one of the original founders of the Democratic Party of Guam.[2] He served for six terms in the Guam Legislature.[2]
Early life
Flores, a lancheru as ranchers are known in Guam, began grazing approximately eight hundred head of cattle and carabao on several acres on his ranch in Inarajan early in his life.[2] He also founded Flores Poultry Farm, which would later grow to include more than 75,000 chickens at a time.[2] Flores also cultivated vegetables and fruit on his farm.[2]
World War II
Flores was just 25 years old at the time of the Japanese invasion of Guam in 1941 during World War II.[2] He began to cultivate rice, all of which was used to feed the Japanese troops during the occupation.[2] His livestock was also confiscated at times during the war in order to feed Japanese forces on the island.[2]
During the war, Flores provided assistance to Father Jesus Baza Duenas, a Chamorro Roman Catholic priest and an outspoken critic of the Japanese.[2] Duena would later be captured and executed by the Japanese military.[2]
Flores' wife, Ester Duenas Flores, was seven months pregnant with the couple's first child when Guam was liberated by the Americans in 1944.[2]
Politics
Flores held many local political offices throughout his long career on Guam. He originally served as an Inarajan commissioner, as well as an Inarajan assemblyman.[2] He also held posts on various boards and committees.[2]
Flores served six terms as a senator beginning in the fourth Guam Legislature.[2]
His often fiery, often passionate speeches earned him the nickname of "Davy Crockett" in Guamanian politics.[2] Flores always ended his campaign speeches with the Chamorro language slogan, "Bai hu puno' i toro," which translates to "I will kill the bull" in English, an allusion to his early life as a lancheru.[2]
Death
Alfred Flores died in his sleep at his home in Malojloj, Guam, on February 6, 2009 at the age of 92.[2] He was survived by his wife of 69 years, Ester Duenas Flores.[2] The couple would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on February 18, 2009.[2]
Flores was also survived by his three children - Lucille, May and Fred - ten grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.[2]
His viewing and funeral mass were held at the Saint Joseph Church in Inarajan. He was intermediate at Our Lady of Peace Memorial Gardens in Windward Hills, Yona.