Belizeans Rally to Honor Albert Street Icon Jerry Lopez

Belize City is mourning the loss of an Albert Street legend, Jerry Lopez. For years, Jerry was a familiar face on that busy corner, selling produce and greeting passersby. Now, in the wake of his passing, Belizeans are coming together to support his family and honor his memory. Today, the public was invited to visit Jerry’s well-known spot at Albert and King Streets to make a donation or buy what’s left of his produce to help cover funeral costs. And that’s not all, some residents are even calling for King Street to be renamed ‘Jerry Street’ in his honor. We asked Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller if City Hall is considering that heartfelt gesture. Here’s what he had to say.

 

Alex Sanker, Fundraiser Organizer

“We want to come out there and support, but at the same time, also they could donate something straight to his brother at home that’s in charge to cater to the funeral. So that’s the objective to this. So hopefully people could do both.”

 

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“I think as a council we will have to have some level of discussion about how we can appropriately commemorate about him. And the space that he  occupied in our city, right? We feel that his contribution goes far beyond, just the business. But as I said earlier, he was a part of the social fabric of our city. My parents other people were posting in the comments on Facebook that they passed him yesterday and, they told him they link him back before, before the Christmas to come and get their goods. He loved the season and he loved being present and he loved being out there to be able to provide quality products during this time. We really appreciate his presence and we appreciate his contributions to the work of the council and just being present at all times. But we will certainly have to find a way of appropriately commemorating him and I’m sure we’ll have those discussions soon.”