The City of Miami is honoring the life and legacy of Commissioner Manolo Reyes today, following his passing at the age of 80.
A final tribute will be held in front of Miami City Hall, where Reyes served for seven years as a steadfast representative of District 4, which includes Flagami and Coral Way.
At 10:30 AM, the casket of Commissioner Reyes will make a ceremonial pass in front of Miami City Hall at 3500 Pan American Drive. A memorial service will follow in the building’s historic Rotunda, with city officials, colleagues, and community members gathering to celebrate his life of public service.
The remembrance will continue with a funeral procession to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at 2987 W. Flagler Street. A Memorial Mass is scheduled to begin at 12:30 PM.
Reyes’ family confirmed his death last Friday in a statement posted to his official Instagram page, expressing “profound sadness” at the loss. Though no official cause was released, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez revealed the longtime commissioner had been battling leukemia.
“He was constantly fighting the disease,” Suarez said. “It seemed like he was going to beat it. Every time he went into remission, he bounced back—maybe with a little less energy—but always with the same spirit. Unfortunately, it eventually got the better of him.”
Commissioner Reyes publicly disclosed his leukemia diagnosis in 2023. After entering remission in 2024, hopes for recovery were high. However, his health declined rapidly last week. Last Monday, his family shared that he had been hospitalized and asked the public for prayers and privacy.
A former educator and champion of neighborhood-based policy, Reyes was known for his deep connection to the communities he served and his fierce advocacy for working-class residents. Today’s tribute serves as a testament to the mark he left on the city and the people of Miami.
