Juan P. Rivera, 84, enjoyed music, the accordion and gardening

Mr. Rivera was born on June 7, 1918 in Barranquilta, Puerto Rico, moving to Lorain in 1947. He was a retired crain operator at US Steel. He was a police officer in Puerto Rico before moving to Lorain. Mr. Rivera was a member of Sacred Heart Chapel, where he was very active. He was an Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Holy Name Society, and Cursillo.

He enjoyed music, playing the accordion, serving as a volunteer DJ on Spanish radio and gardening. He served as marshal for the Saint John the Baptist parade for many years. He was voted Man of the Year in 1989 and was involved in many other charitable works.

He is survived by his wife Carmen (nee Arroyo) Rivera to whom he was married on December 26, 1936, son Freddy Rivera of Lorain, daughters: Ana Griffith, Carmen Torres, Nancy Bruce all of Lorain, Rosa Miller of Twinsburg, OH, Linda Rivera of Chicago, IL, Minerva Palermo of Cleveland, OH and Sorida Rivera of Tampa, FL. 23 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, brothers: Francisco Rivera, Benito Rivera, Eulalio Rivera all of New York, NY, Eujenio Rivera of Champion, SC, Blacino Rivera of Tampa FL, sisters: Andrea Rivera of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and Josephina Rivera of New York, NY, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous other relatives.

Friend may call Monday, July 22, 2002 at 8:30 a.m. at Schwartz, Spence, Boyer and Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 West 5th Street, Lorain, OH 44052.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Ave., Lorain, OH 44055, with Rev. Michael Williamson, associate pastor of the Church of Saint Peter, officiating. Burial will be at Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Amherst Township.