Maurice Ferré Left Wide Imprint On Miami As First Hispanic Mayor

MIAMI, FL — Former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferré — who left a far-reaching imprint on his adopted city as its first Hispanic mayor despite a challenging period marked by the Mariel boatlift and five days of the worst racial riots since the 1960s — will be remembered by city dignitaries, family members and residents Thursday after losing his two-year battle with spinal cancer.

“Miami was his passion. He always wanted to see how it could build and advance itself,” recalled Ferre's son, Carlos.

A city memorial service is scheduled to take place 8 a.m. Thursday at Miami City Hall followed by a 10 a.m. funeral mass at St. Mary's Cathedral.

In an obituary published by the Archdiocese of Miami on Monday, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami recalled a recent lunch with the former mayor, who served from 1973 to 1985.

“He shared many memories of his interactions with (Archbishop) Coleman Carroll and (Msgr.) Bryan Walsh," Wenski said. "Much like them — of course in different ways — he shaped the Miami of today, capital of the Americas.”

Wenski will celebrate the funeral Mass for Ferré on Thursday at the cathedral, which is located at 7525 NW Second Ave. Miami City Hall is located at 3500 Pan American Drive

"He was a man of elegance, class, and grace who has inspired me to carry on his legacy of elevating #Miami as a diverse world-class city," said current Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, whose father, Xavier, defeated Ferré to become mayor in 1985.

In all, Ferré served six terms as Miami's 37th mayor. He also served as a Miami city commissioner, Florida state representative and as vice chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission.

Ferre, whose family moved to Miami from Puerto Rico, led the city’s government during a time that Miami developed into an international hub and gateway to Latin America. He remained a staunch advocate of Puerto Rican statehood.

Watch the first of a two-part conversation with Ferré from seven years ago:

Watch Part 2 here.

Earlier this year, the city renamed a downtown Miami park in Ferre’s honor.

"If we had a memorial like Mount Rushmore, he would definitely be there," added Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. "I was a young firefighter starting in the City of Miami when Mayor Ferre began his illustrious political career in Miami after having served as a legislator in Tallahassee. A statesman and visionary, Maurice left an incredible legacy for our community and helped create and nourish a new, diverse and dynamic Miami."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.