Obituary of Norberto Rios

Mr. Norberto “Hil” Rios, 89, of Syracuse, New York, formerly of Amsterdam, New York, entered eternal life on February 16, 2023 after a short illness. He was born on July 9, 1933,  the son of the late Isabel Santiago Rivera and Agustin Rios in Yauco, Puerto where he attended school. He came to Amsterdam in 1952.

Hil, as he was known by his family and friends, was employed at Hanover Dress Co. where he repaired sewing machines. He later moved to New York City and ran his cousin’s grocery store. He retired to Yauco, Puerto Rico where he supervised workers at his cousin’s plantation. After a few years he returned to Amsterdam to be near his ailing mother. He enjoyed fixing cars, listening to Spanish music, dancing, playing dominos and “loteria”, as well as building model cars. He was a self-taught musician in a local Spanish Band playing the “timbales.”Hil was a gentleman and always had a kind word for everyone with a great sense of humor.

He was a member of The Valley Worship Center in Syracuse, N.Y. He had been married for 36 years to Maria Roman, who survives him.

He is also survived by seven daughters: Elsa Butrym, Sandra Rios, Nancy (John) Notaro, Lisa (Sam) Raponi, Doris (Damian) Torres, Maria (Joseph) Taddeo, Betsy (David) Ortiz; five brothers Jose Santiago, Robert Rios, Joey Rios and Tito Rios, his four sisters Gloria Rodriguez, Mildred (Eli) Hernandez, Daisy Rivera and Rachel (Ernesto) Dormond; and .22 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren and 2 great-great-great grandchildren. He had many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much as well as his uncle, who was more like a brother, Jose Roca.

Hil was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Elsa Santiago, Betzaida Rivera , his step-father Luis Rivera, grandson Raymond Rodriguez, nephews Moses Santiago, Abraham Santiago, Daniel Gomez and son-in-law Gary Butrym.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Funeral Home, Amsterdam, New York.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, February 21 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM prior to the service. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 11:00AM at The United Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Amsterdam, NY, with the Rev. Johnathan Cramer officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Amsterdam. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Valley Worship Center, 2929 Midland Avenue, Syracuse, New York 13205.