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RIVERA -- Alfonso Rivera, born in Santa Fe, NM, age 83, left us to join the angels and saints on Friday January 14, 2005 in San Antonio, TX. He passed away from complications following a fall. He will be buried at Fort Sam Houston on January 19, 2005 next to his beloved wife, Mayna. He was born October 11, 1921 in Santa Fe, NM and was the son of Emiterio Rivera and Antonia Garcia. He graduated in 1937 from St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe and attended Pasadena (CA) Junior College. During World War II, he was a Staff Sergeant in the 339th Army Air Force in Fowlmere, England where he served as crew chief of mechanics servicing American bombers and fighter aircraft. He married Mayna Lopez, also of Santa Fe, upon returning from World War II. The couple established the Corner Grocery, located at 880 East Palace Ave. The store was connected to the family home. He closed the store in 1965 and began a career in insurance. For several years he was a district manager in Albuquerque for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1984 he returned to Santa Fe as an independent insurance agent operating out of his home at 105 W. Barcelona St. Alfonso and Mayna were married for 54 years, until her death from cancer in December 1999. Prior to the death of Mayna, the couple moved to San Antonio TX to live with their daughter Mary Ann. His 5 children are successful, happy and live in the loving spirit of their father and mother -- Dr. Charlene Rivera, husband Charles Stansfield, of Bethesda, MD; Mary Ann Mireles of San Antonio, TX; Dr. Michael Rivera, wife Vicky of Prince George, British Columbia; Philip Rivera, wife Rachael of Albuquerque, NM; and Chris Rivera, wife Sally of Maple Valley, WA. We will always be grateful for the spirit of independence he instilled in all of us and we will miss him dearly. He has nine grandchildren - Danny, Michael, Alegra, Jordan, Daria, Liam, Josh, Kaeli, Nicholas; and two great-grandchildren - Alanis and Ashley. Other living relatives include sister-in-law, Della Vigil of Santa Fe; niece, Tessie Flores of Montebello, CA; and many other nieces and nephews. Alfonso's two sisters, Nellie Saiz and Lucy Rushing preceded him in death. Alfonso was a phenomenal, intelligent, kind, loving, and very special father, husband, and friend. He deeply loved his family, enjoyed life and emitted happiness to all who knew him. He will be missed and never forgotten. Donations in Alfonso's memory may be made to St. Michael's High School Foundation, PO Box 22563, Santa Fe, NM 87502. The family will receive family and friends at Porter Loring North Chapel, San Antonio, TX, Tuesday from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection, Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 20423 Huebner RD. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in Santa Fe at a later date. Arrangements with PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH 2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST SAN ANTONIO, TX 78232 210-495-8221
        Published on: Tue January 18, 2005