UPDATE: 9/26 8:29a
Friends, family and Miami residents are paying tribute to the late Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre.
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Flags are flying at half-staff at Miami City Hall this morning as commissioners and other community leaders pay their respects to Miami's first Hispanic Mayor Maurice Ferre. During his 12 years serving as mayor, Maurice Ferre became known as the "father of modern Miami"---a visionary who shaped the city into the culturally-diverse and vibrant community it is today. Mayor Francis Suarez says he was larger than life -an elegant, classy man who always made himself available to anyone in need. Ferre died last week after a 2-year battle with cancer. He was 84. He leaves behind a wife of 64 years-his six children and grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 8 this morning at City Hall followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m.