Rivera, Gilbert

Gilbert Rivera

Services: Have been held.

Mr. Gilbert G. Rivera, 84, of Portales, died early Saturday morning, May 8, 2004, at Heartland Continuing Care Center.

He was born on Aug. 23, 1919, at Benavides, Texas, to Lucia and Epitacio Benavides Rivera.

He grew up in Benavides where he was an active trumpet player, playing in various bands including mariachi. He served in the U.S. Army stationed in Deming where his duties included being a service bugler. While in Deming, he met and married Mary Salinas in 1940.

After returning to Benavides, he owned and operated a gas station for several years. In 1950, he moved to El Paso, Texas, and worked in construction before moving to Portales in 1963 and worked as a concrete company supervisor until 1963, when he was disabled by a car accident. He was an active parishioner at St. Helen Catholic Church and taught conversational Spanish.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, James Edward Rivera; five brothers, Jose, Epitacio, Pedro, Francisco, and Oscar; and two sisters, Paula and Rafaela.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gilbert Rivera, Jr. of Portales and Rick Rivera of Las Cruces; seven daughters, Mary Lou Fonseca of Las Cruces, Patricia Johnson of Orange County, Calif., Frances (husband, Marty) Franco of Roswell, Margaret (Russ) Rugh of Westminster, Calif., Gracy Leary of Portales, Rebecca (Joe) Allen of Orange County, and Gina (Rob) Boydton of Moreno Valley, Calif.; 25 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Alberto Ortega, Mario Franco, John Franco, Danny Leary, Ronald Fonseca, and Robert Herrera. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Timmons and the staff of Heartland Continuing Care Center.

A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales. The Rev. Tobin Hitt will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary in Portales.