Flor Colon Rivera, 77, U.S. Army Veteran
Flor Colon Rivera, 77, was called to our Lord on March 10, 2013 at Mercy New Life Hospice following a lengthy illness. A resident of Lorain, Ohio, he was born October 28, 1935 in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.
In 1956, Flor relocated to Cleveland, Ohio from Puerto Rico and soon after, settled in Lorain where he has since resided. As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Flor was a veteran of the Korean War. He was also a retiree of 30 years at the Ford Motor Company plant in Lorain, but was more prominently known for his natural talents as a musician. A celebrated percussionist, Flor was legendary on the timbales, congas and bongos and has represented such bands as El Combo Caribe, El Trio Puerto Rico and Flor Rivera y Sus Reyes Del Ritmo.
Flor enjoyed dominoes, billiards, and baseball and was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians. He was a lovable and charming man with a passion for life. His incredible sense of humor and the vigor of his laughter were captivating, while his signature moves on the dance floor were unforgettable. Flor applied his energy and vitality in the form of devotion to his family and friends. He was a dedicated family man who adored reminiscing and recounting stories from the past.
He will be dearly missed by his wife Santa Migdalia Rivera (née Padilla) of Lorain; his children Flor, Jr. of Clarksville, Tennessee, Judith Rivera Wicks of Gilbert, Arizona, Yolanda Velasquez, Wanda Rivera, Carlos Rodriguez and Naycha Gonzalez all of Lorain; sister Lucy Burgos of Naguabo, Puerto Rico; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Flor was preceded in death by his parents Flor and Celestina (née Colon) Rivera and brothers Herman and Luis Rivera.
His family will receive friends on Thursday, March 14 from 4 to 8 PM at St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, 3038 Charleston Ave, Lorain. Friends may also call Friday from 8:30 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM in Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain. Rev. Father William A. Thaden, Pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. The Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20 will conduct Military Honors.
Memorial contributions my be made to the Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44055.
Funeral arrangements are by Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain (440) 277-8164. For further information and on line register book, see Reidyfuneral.com.