Former governor Suruagy's wake is held in Alagoas.

Alagoas247 - Family, friends and politicians pay their last respects to the former governor of Alagoas, Divaldo Suruagy, this Sunday (22). The body of the former governor is at the old Marechal Floriano Peixoto Palace and will be buried at 17 pm, at Campo Santo Parque das Flores, in Tabuleiro do Martins, in Maceió. The body arrived at the palace at the end of the night on Saturday (21).

The daughter of the former governor, Mônica Suruagy, said that she has been moved by the testimonies of people who make a point of leaving their homes for the final farewell. Generally, she hears that her father was an excellent administrator, especially with social assistance programs.

"As a father, he always pointed to education as the path to the future. In government, it was no different. We lost a great man, a public figure, and a human being," said Mônica Suruagy.

Another relative who spoke with theGazetaweb Demerval Perreira was among those who lamented the death. "Former secretaries, former mayors, businesspeople, and the old guard are here to say their final goodbyes. A unique figure who helped many people. But above all, a great person," said Demerval Francisco.

From the early hours of the morning, family, friends, politicians, businesspeople, colleagues, and public servants arrived at the Government Palace, in an atmosphere of emotion and respect for the politician. The flags of the state of Alagoas and CRB were draped over the coffin, as Suruagy was a fervent supporter of the "Galo da Praia" (CRB's nickname). 

death

The former governor died yesterday afternoon at Arthur Ramos Hospital in Farol. He was 78 years old and had been battling stomach cancer for nine months. Suruagy had even traveled to São Paulo to secure better treatment for the disease. 

According to information provided by Suruagy's personal secretary, Antônio Luiz dos Santos Júnior, the former governor was in his apartment in Ponta Verde when he fell ill and was taken by ambulance to a health unit, where he succumbed to respiratory failure and died at 17:45 pm. 

Suruagy discovered he had stomach cancer in June of last year and underwent surgery to remove the tumor in July in São Paulo, where he spent 10 days hospitalized, before returning to Alagoas. At the end of last year, Divaldo Suruagy was diagnosed with another tumor in the same location, and his condition worsened. 

Political life

Suruagy was the son of Pedro Marinho Suruagy and Luiza de Oliveira Suruagy. A municipal civil servant with the City Hall of Maceió, he worked as a janitor, office assistant, and clerk until graduating in Economics from the Federal University of Alagoas (Ufal) in 1959. He headed the Property and Land Tax Division, as well as being a professor and head of the Educational Foundation. Finally, he reached the position of Secretary-General of the municipality of Maceió in 1962.

President of the Central Supply Company (CEASA) and the Alagoas Silos and Warehouses Company, he became a political protégé of Governor Luiz Cavalcanti, who appointed him Secretary of Finance, a position he resigned from to run for and be elected mayor of Maceió for the PSD in 1965, in what would be the last direct election for twenty years.

First term as governor

After completing his term, he joined ARENA and was elected state deputy in 1970, distinguishing himself both as the leader of the party caucus and as the leader of the Afrânio Lages government. Such dedication secured his selection as the appointed governor of the state, a "bionic position," by President Ernesto Geisel in 1974; his tenure as head of the executive branch ensured his election as a federal deputy in 1978.

Second term as governor

A member of the PDS since 1980, he was elected governor in 1982 in the first direct elections for governors in the country during the Military Dictatorship period and, during his new term, supported Tancredo Neves' candidacy for the presidency of the Republic, and subsequently joined the PFL in 1986, the year in which he was elected senator.

Third term as governor

In 1994, he was elected to his third term as governor, by which time he was affiliated with the PMDB party. However, a serious political and financial crisis forced his resignation on July 17, 1997, when his vice-governor, Manuel Gomes de Barros, known as Mano, took over the reins of state power.

Authorities mourn the death of former governor:

Senator Fernando Collor (PTB) lamented, on Sunday morning (22), through social networks, the death of former governor Divaldo Suruagy. The parliamentarian published an image in which he appears alongside Suruagy and Guilherme Palmeira when he held the position of mayor of Maceió.

In a statement, Collor expressed his condolences to the family of the former governor, who leaves behind a wife and four daughters after battling stomach cancer for nine months. 

"While mourning the passing of former governor Divaldo Suruagy, I extend my deepest condolences to his family. In homage to the former governor, I am republishing this photo, in which we were together at a ceremony at the Maceió City Hall," expressed the senator from Alagoas.

 Several authorities attended the wake of former governor Divaldo Suruagy on Sunday morning (22), at the Floriano Peixoto Palace, in the Center, to say their final farewell to the politician who led the state three times. At 12 pm, the body will be taken in procession to the Campo Santo Parque das Flores, in Tabuleiro do Martins, and the burial is scheduled for 17 pm. 

The Secretary of State for Communication, Ênio Lins, deeply regretted Suruagy's passing, while also paying tribute to him by highlighting his role in Alagoas politics. Lins emphasized the former governor's human qualities and made a point of clarifying the most tense political moment of his career. 

“Suruagy is the second figure to govern Alagoas three times and always paid attention to public employees. So much so that his departure from the government occurred because the federal government, at the time, determined an austerity policy that sacrificed public employees, and he did not accept it. After he left office, the PDV [Voluntary Dismissal Program] was implemented here,” explained Ênio Lins. 

Visibly emotional, former Alagoas governor Ronaldo Lessa praised Suruagy's great works in the areas of Housing and Infrastructure. Lessa recalled that, despite having been in opposition to Suruagy, he recognized his contributions independently of that issue. "Between the 70s and 90s, Suruagy was very important. The political issue becomes secondary at this moment, and what prevails is the recognition of the man who dedicated his public life to the people."

The mayor of Maceió, Rui Palmeira (PSDB), was also present at the wake, where he highlighted Suruagy's work as a public figure throughout his terms in office. As an example, he pointed to Suruagy's loyalty and simplicity, which are uncommon in politics. "There's no denying Suruagy's importance to Alagoas. Despite his positions, he insisted on being simple."

The president of the Legislative Assembly (ALE), Deputy Luis Dantas (PMDB), offered his condolences to the family and spoke to reporters about the politician's death. He described Suruagy as a leader who marked an era, "a unique being." The vice-president of the House of Tavares Bastos, Deputy Ronaldo Medeiros (PT), also attended the wake. 

The former vice-governor of Alagoas, José Thomaz Nonô, highlighted that Suruagy was the greatest politician of his time, having experienced everything that politics could offer. For Nonô, the feeling is one of great sadness. "He lived through absolute glory and complete ostracism," he said. 

Senator Renan Calheiros (PMDB/AL) sent a statement to the press lamenting the event. He stated that "Alagoas has lost one of its greatest politicians." 

"With the death of Divaldo Suruagy, Alagoas loses one of its greatest politicians. Life and politics itself, both full of lessons and wisdom, brought us closer. It was an honor and a privilege to enjoy the company of Divaldo Suruagy, his calm conversation, his good humor, his solidarity, and his general culture. Alagoas bids farewell to a beloved son. He leaves us all a legacy of honest and productive work, of love for the people, and of defense of Alagoas that places him among the great politicians of this land. To Mrs. Luzia and the entire Suruagy family, my deepest condolences," lamented Renan. 

 Institutions publish statement:

The death of former Alagoas governor Divaldo Suruagy also resonated with institutions such as the State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE), General Command of the Military Police, Legislative Assembly (ALE), Association of Police Delegates (Adepol) and Public Defender's Office of Alagoas. They lamented the event and offered their condolences to Suruagy's family. He died late Saturday afternoon (21), at Hospital Arthur Ramos, in Farol, victim of stomach cancer. 

The Attorney General, Sérgio Jucá, spoke about the death of the former governor while paying tribute to Suruagy. 

CHECK THE GRADE

The Attorney General of Justice, Sérgio Jucá, and the entire State Public Prosecutor's Office family deeply regret the death of the former Governor of Alagoas, Divaldo Suruagy, which occurred late this Saturday afternoon (21). A three-time former head of the Executive Branch of Alagoas, former mayor of Maceió, former state and federal deputy, and former senator, Suruagy made significant contributions to the State and the people of Alagoas, dedicating almost 40 years of his life to public service. To his family and friends, we offer our most sincere condolences and wishes for strength and faith during this time of grief.

The general commander of the Military Police, Colonel Paulo Lima Júnior, also deeply regretted the passing of the former governor. On this occasion, the corporation canceled the presentation of the "Come See the Band Play" program, which was scheduled for this Sunday on the Ponta Verde waterfront. 

NOTE:

The General Command of the Military Police of Alagoas deeply regrets the passing of the former Governor of the State, Divaldo Suruagy, which occurred late this Saturday afternoon (21), due to health problems. The burial will be carried out with the proper military honors for someone who dedicated his entire life to politics in Alagoas and Brazil.

Suruagy, who was originally from São Luiz do Quitunde/AL, led the state three times, in 1978, 1882, and 1994. His political career, where he held various positions, is marked by significant events, including being the most voted governor in the entire country in 1994.

Due to his passing and the three days of official mourning decreed in the State, the Military Police informs that the presentation of the "Come See the Band Play" Program, which was to be held tomorrow, the 22nd, on the Ponta Verde beach promenade, is cancelled. The corporation's efforts will be directed towards his wake, scheduled to begin at 21 pm today at the Marechal Floriano Peixoto Palace, and the burial, which will take place at 17 pm this Sunday at the Parque das Flores Cemetery..

The president of the Legislative Assembly, Representative Luiz Dantas, decreed three days of official mourning within the Legislative Branch. "I want to personally express my condolences to the family for this loss. Suruagy worked for Alagoas throughout his life," he stated. 

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of the Legislative Assembly of Alagoas regrets the passing of former governor Divaldo Suruagy. A political leader who marked an era in the recent history of the State, holding important positions in the Executive and Legislative branches, Suruagy governed our land three times, also serving as president of the House of Tavares Bastos during the 1973/1974 biennium of the Seventh Legislature. On behalf of all parliamentarians, the Board expresses its condolences and offers its solidarity to the family of the former governor..

ADEPOL NOTE

The Association of Police Delegates of Alagoas - ADEPOL, through its board of directors, expresses its deepest sorrow for the irreparable loss of our eternal governor of Alagoas, Divaldo Suruagy, and, in this moment of grief, extends its solidarity and condolences to his grieving family..

Public Defender's Office

The Public Defender's Office of the State of Alagoas and its members express deep sorrow for the death of former governor Divaldo Suruagy, which occurred late this Saturday afternoon (21). Alagoas has lost one of the greatest public figures in its history. To his family and friends, our solidarity and faith in this moment of grief..

With gazetaweb.com