Gregory Alvarez, Emmy winning graphic design artist from Lynbrook, dies at 50

When Gregory Alvarez won a sports Emmy for outstanding post-produced graphic design for his work on the MLB Network, he remained humble, according to his family.

"He was really surprised," said his wife, Nelly Alvarez. "He didn’t think he was going to win at all."

He never bragged about winning the award in 2014. When asked at a job interview to show his Emmy, he responded: "No, that’s OK," his widow said.

Sometimes people would tell him things, "thinking he didn’t know ... things about computers or art or anything" because he didn't talk about his work, she said

His work, she said, "was very impressive."

Gregory Alvarez died on Dec. 31 after a nearly five-year battle with colon cancer. The Lynbrook resident was 50.

A true Brooklynite

Born on Oct. 5, 1975, Alvarez grew up in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where he lived for most of his life. He attended Catholic schools, including Xavier High School in Manhattan.

He was 12 years older than his sister and served as her protector growing up.

Alvarez was "very Brooklynite," Nelly said, growing up in a Mets-loving family after the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. He was also a die-hard Jets fan and rooted for the Knicks.

He was "just a quiet guy [who] liked to observe," Nelly said.

"That was the joke, especially when we started dating because I’m a talker and he was quiet." Nelly said. They were "the perfect pair."

They met in 2002 at Nelly’s sister’s Halloween party. Sometime after Nelly and her sisters went out in Williamsburg and met up with Greg and his friends, she said. 

Greg was true to his quiet nature, while Nelly kept talking to him; the two hung out the entire night.

"We were just together ever since," she said. He was "the best husband anybody could ask for."

They married in 2008, had twins in 2014 and moved to Lynbrook. Their son, Grayson, is named after Batman’s original sidekick, Dick Grayson; and their daughter, Shea, is named for Shea Stadium.

Alvarez loved his children "with his heart and soul," and encouraged them to explore their artistic talents, Nelly said. Before he died, he bought his son shading pencils after he started sketching; his daughter received pens made for the nail designs she enjoys doing.

Talented graphics designer

Alvarez's career was inspired by "Star Wars," Nelly said. He received a bachelor's degree in computer arts from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan in 1997.

His art, animation and graphic talents took him many places. One of his first jobs was as a character animator, model and lighting artist on an Oscar Mayer Lunchables ad in the late 1990s. From there, his work was featured on MTV, HBO and Hess toys.

In 2012, he became a permanent freelance motion graphics artist for the MLB Network and was part of the 2014 Emmy-winning team for their work on "MLB Tonight."

In 2017, Alvarez started working at Citi Field for the Mets, which was "his dream job for him to be there and have access to the stadium and sometimes occasionally see the players," Nelly said.

"He would also see a lot of the announcers, which was great for him too because he grew up with Keith Hernandez winning the World Series, so he was starstruck when he saw him in the lunchroom," she said.

His final job was at Fox News Media, where he was a motion graphics designer for Fox Business, Fox Nation, Fox News and Fox Weather.

Even during his sickness, Alvarez always gave his all to his work. Fox News Media executive Jill Van Why described Alvarez as "a gentle spirit" who was "a vital part of our team."

"He really brought talent and his heart to everything," she said. "He definitely has been remembered for his kindness, his positivity."

Alvarez created, designed and animated the animation used at the top, middle and end of the Fox business show "Making Money With Charles Payne," which is still in use.

"Charles had thanked him numerous times for that," Van Why said of the "beautiful design."

Gregory Alvarez’s funeral was held at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Lynbrook on Jan. 5. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn.