Alberto Rivera Sr. passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, March 4, 2021, in his home in Warwick, New York. He was 71 years old.
Alberto was born on Jan. 24, 1950, in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. At a young age he moved to the state of New York, where he as a teenager would meet his beloved wife Mildred and eventually start a family of their own.
Alberto attended Pius XII in Chester, which was where he met many individuals who would go on to become his dearest friends throughout his life.
He enlisted in the Army and served in the Vietnam War.
Shortly after, he went on as a hardworking man who would later in life retire from the Chester Cable Company after working as a machine operator for many years.
Alberto was a strong, independent man who lived for his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mildred Rivera; his son Alberto (Bert) Rivera Jr. and wife Kathy of Warwick and his son Antonio (Tony) Rivera and wife Lisa of Warwick; his seven adored grandchildren: Ryan, Shane, Tony, Haylee, Alexis, Niko and Mia; sisters Anna and Sonia; brothers Tony, Victor, Louis, Jose and William; and many other cherished family members and friends.
He is predeceased by his mother Eugenia, his older brother Antonio and his younger brother George.
He will be remembered as the husband who loved his wife deeply; the father who motivated, cared and worked hard to provide for his sons; the grandfather that was idolized by his grandchildren; the brother that his siblings heroized; the type of family man many around him would hope to become.
Beyond being known as “Alberto” or “Bert,” he was called “Father” by his sons, many family members and friends.
Alberto’s presence could make everyone in a room smile. It was an instinct for him to put others before himself. He will be missed forever. His strength, wisdom and love will continue to be honored and never forgotten.
Visitation was held March 8 at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick.
A funeral service was held March 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home; interment followed the service in Orange County Veterans Cemetery in Goshen.
Arrangements were made by Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat. To send an online condolence or card, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com