WORCESTER-Martin A. Rivera, 78, of 3 Hitchcock Road, died Sunday, January 30th in St. Vincent Hospital after a long illness. He leaves a son, Jose L. Rivera of Springfield, a stepson, Merino Valdez of Springfield, 7 daughters, Gloria M. Rivera of San-Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, Maria I. Rivera, Juana Rivera and Milagros Rivera, all of Worcester, Brenda L. Rivera and Carmen Caceres, both of Springfield, Aida Caceres of Cayey, Puerto Rico, 3 sisters, Leonor Berrio of Springfield, Martina Rivera of Guayama, Puerto Rico and Berta Grau of Fort Lauderdale, FL, his former wife, Faviana Valdez of Springfield, 21 grandchildren , 8 great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces. A brother Pablo Rivera predeceased him in 1993.
He was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico the son of Liborio and Leonarda (Rodriquez) Rivera and lived there for most of his life moving to Springfield in 1982 and later to Worcester in 1999. Mr. Rivera was a machinist for a cigar company in Caguas, Puerto Rico for 25 years.
Calling hours will be held in O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 1st from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. Burial will be in El Remanzo Memorial Cemetery in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. The family has requested that flowers be omitted.