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Photo via Facebook]
Ray Alvarez, the 82-year-old proprietor of Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A, looks to be off his feet for a little while.
A friend of Ray's reports that he was recently having trouble breathing. He apparently has felt weak for some time. It finally became too acute, so he visited his doctor, who sent Ray straight to Beth Israel.
Yesterday, Ray had heart valve replacement surgery.
We're told that he is doing well and in typically good spirits. (He has also been asking for seconds on the hospital food.)
A number of people have been keeping him company at the hospital, where he'll likely remain until next week.
Several of Ray's regulars made a large card that people can sign at the shop starting this morning. The card will be delivered to Ray at the hospital. In addition, several friends chipped in to buy him a new bed for his recovery at home.

[
Photo via Shawn Chittle]