Andres Rivera, 85, Devoted to His Family and Church
Andres Rivera, 85, of Lorain, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, on Friday July 21, 2017.
Andres was born on November 30, 1931 in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. He was the youngest child of Santos Rivera and Rufina Rodriguez.
In 1952 Andres moved to Youngstown, Ohio and worked at the Youngstown Steel Plant. He later moved to Lorain where he was a faithful and loyal employee at Ford Motor Company, Brookpark for over 30 years before retiring in 1983.
Andres was an absolute pillar in his community deeply devoted to his family and to his church, Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain, where he was a Eucharistic minister, lector, curcillista, church greeter, and a member of the small communities. He was also a member of the United Auto Workers Local 1250 of Brookpark. It brought Andres great joy when he visited his family and friends in Puerto Rico. During his trips to Puerto Rico he loved spending time with his beloved brothers and sisters and working in the “finca.” He loved planting in his garden where he always provided his family and friends with an abundance of fresh produce. Andres always looked forward to spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandson Antonio. Andres was loved by the community for always putting others first before self. He will always be remembered for lifting spirits with his great smile and great sense of humor. He was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. His devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ was evident by his actions in always helping others.
Andres is survived by his wife of 56 years Isabel (nee Hernandez), his daughter Elba Iris Perez (nee Rivera) of Lorain and her children Jonathan Perez (wife Christina (nee Mantini) Matthew Perez (fiance Katherine Seel) and Cassandra Franklin; daughter Isabel “Lissy” Rivera Smith (husband Peter E. Smith) of Goshen, New York and their children Kassandra Murphy, Jessica Smith (husband Scott Simons), Shannon Smith (wife Mary), Antoinette, Amelia, Karissa and Jamarr Smith; daughter Lucia “Lucy" Rivera of Lorain; sons Andres “Andy” F. Rivera and Kevin M. Rivera both of Lorain and daughters Charra Tillie, and Ashley Acoff of Cleveland.. He had several great-grandchildren, and many godchildren.
Other than his parents Andres was preceded in death by his brothers Antonio, Jose, Lolo, Arcadio, Vicente, sisters Juanita, Amelia and Andrea and his father and mother in law Francisco Hernandez and Lucia Rodriguez.
His family will receive friends Thursday, July 27 from 4 to 8 PM at Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain. Friends may also call Friday from 10:30 AM until mass to celebrate Andres’ life at 11:30 AM in Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain. Rev. Father William A. Thaden, Pastor will be celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Sacred Heart Memorial Fund, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain Ohio 44055.
For further information and to sign the online register book, see Reidyfuneral.com.