Obituary of Gabriel Rivera

Gabriel (Gabe) Rivera II passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, a few weeks shy of his 82nd birthday. Gabe was born on March 6, 1941, in Manhattan, NY. He graduated from Commerce High School in New York City in 1959. His love of travel began at a young age as he would travel from NYC to Bayamon, PR with his father Gabriel Sr. who also taught him how to flirt with the stewardess, Oooo-la-la! Gabe traveled across the United States throughout his entire life; you never knew where he'd be off to next. On a logging trip to Montana in 1975, Gabe fell in love with the State and made it his home until 1988. Gabe was employed as a Social Worker for the State of Montana until 1981. During his time in Montana, he became active with the Church of God and served as Assistant Pastor, Paster, and Youth Leader at various churches in Butte and Billings, MT. He attended Northwest Bible College in Minot, ND (1981-1985) majoring in Biblical Studies and Pastoring in Douglas, ND. At Northwest, he made numerous life-long friendships. He continued his ministry through mission work in New Mexico. Gabe had such a zeal for the Lord that he could preach for hours. He'd get to talking about all the good and amazing things the Lord did. You almost couldn't get him to stop! In 1988, Gabe was employed at Radio Shack, in Helena, MT as Store Manager and later transferred to San Jose, CA where he managed several stores. 1990-1996, he was hired in a new program sponsored by the Veterans Administration to employ non-veterans to manage their canteen, food courts and retail shops. The VA transferred him to L.A. and then to Allen Park (Detroit), MI. In 2001, he moved to Sidney, NY where he started working at the Main Street Paint & Hardware store as the manager. Gabe retired to Arizona in 2016. In November 2022, he had one last travel adventure; he moved back to Unadilla, NY to spend his final days close to his family. Gabe loved people, socializing, and travel (hence his employment all the across the US). He loved to visit his Dad and Mom in the Bronx, NY and in Puerto Rico. He looked forward to the rotating annual family Thanksgiving-fest at each of his siblings' homes. You could always find him in the kitchen as he loved to cook. Gabe was especially famous for his salsa and New York style cheesecake; always so secretive about his recipes… anyone who was able to get his recipe felt truly honored. He treasured the finer things in life like drinking his orange juice from a nice crystal goblet or enjoying a nice espresso. Some of his favorite foods to eat were pastelles, rice and beans and plantains. The ladies in his life were always greeted with a "Hello Beautiful" or "Hello Sweetheart". Some of his favorite music was Jazz and the Blues; he loved to dance the hustle and did it so well with his Spanish rhythm. He was a strong supporter of the military and loved his country. In his spare time, he liked to build guns and tinker with computers. Gabe was preceded in death by his father, Gabriel Sr.; mother, Hilda; daughters Gina and Joy, son John and nephew Samuel Rivera II and sister-in-law, Tricia Rivera. He is survived by his sons Guy (Vittoria) Rivera of Santa Barbara, CA and Gabriel III of Santa Barbara, CA, and daughter, Samantha (Jason) Taylor of Gainesville, GA; siblings Judy (Michael) Roldan of Unadilla, NY; Edgar (Patrice) Rivera of PSJ, FL; Roxanna Rivera-Bajra of Stamford, CT, and Samuel (Christine) Rivera of Unadilla, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Gabriel Rivera IV (CA), Naomi Rivera (CA), Makenzie DeHart (PA), David Rivera (AZ), Trenton Taylor (NC), Tracen Taylor (Japan), great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. A private celebration of life will be held in Unadilla, New York on March 25th. In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation in Gabe's honor to the American Cancer Society. You may also share condolences and memories with the family online at www.landersfh.com