Francisco Rivera Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Francisco Rivera Francisco (Paco) Rivera, entered peacefully into eternal life on Friday March 15th, 2019. Francisco was born on March 9th in 1932, almost a century ago, to Luis Rivera Cuevas and Asuncion Martinez Rivera. He lived through and experienced many wonderful things throughout his life. It was a life he filled with laughter, and an ever-present smile. He had a firm handshake for his friends, and the warmest of embraces and kisses for his loving wife and children. Francisco, or “Paco” as he insisted his friends call him, had just celebrated his 87th and last birthday March 9th. He was surrounded by those he loved most, his family and his friends. As a young man Francisco immigrated to U.S. mainland from Mayaguez Puerto Rico in 1950. He was only 18 years old. In early 1952 he was fortunate enough to meet the love of his life Eduarda “Dua” Cruz; who had also emigrated from Puerto Rico to New York City. There they fell in love and married in November 1952 after only 7 months of dating and begun to put together the building blocks necessary for a successful life together. They began their family. Like many immigrants starting out in the United States Francisco took on many more responsibilities than normal people. Taking on several odd jobs at a time he forged a place for himself, his wife and growing family. Soon he was recognized for his organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Francisco took a position as Office Manager of a large Office Supply company where he was valued and loved dearly for his abilities and his manner as a gentleman. Years later, when the company relocated out of New York City, he chose his family first. He opted to not uproot his wife and school age children from the place where the family’s roots had flourished. He chose to start anew, accepting a position managing and maintaining several high rise apartment buildings in lower Manhattan. There he finished raising his family and gave them all the best of himself every single day of his life. He retired after his 62nd birthday and he and “Dua” moved to Boynton Beach Florida. In keeping with his life-long affinity of service and camaraderie for, and with others, he immediately began volunteering at the soup kitchen. Always helping others as he has done all his life. Francisco loved life and the joy it brought him, but above all he loved God and his family & friends. He was always willing to provide a helping hand where needed. Never did a friend or loved one ever encounter him without a smile and a good laugh. He left us all with his smile and a good feeling inside for having had the honor of being with him, for he was a good man. To his core he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Francisco is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Eduarda; five children, daughters Edna (Anne) Giardina, Sylvia Rivera Ramirez, Nereida Turner, and sons Daniel Rivera, and late son Frankie Rivera. Francisco was blessed with nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many other relatives who all adored and loved him dearly. Friends will be received at Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home, corner of US Hwy. #1 & NE 15th Avenue, Boynton Beach on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 10:00 AM until the service time at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org in memory of Francisco Rivera.

Francisco Rivera

March 9, 1932 - March 15, 2019