Obituary of Jorge R. Rivera

Mr. Jorge ?George? R. Rivera, 69 years old of Meadow Street, Amsterdam, died Sunday at Ellis hospital, after his battle with cancer, with his family at his side. Mr. Rivera was born September 24, 1937 in Yauco, Puerto Rico, a son of Julio and Ignacia Guzman Rivera. He received his education in Puerto Rico and moved to Brooklyn, New York where he resided until moving to Amsterdam in 1970. Mr. Rivera was employed by the General Electric Co. in Schenectady until his retirement in 1994. He was a Parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Rivera was a member of the Bigelow Weavers Club, the Amsterdam Hispanic Senior Citizens Society and was a member and past president of the Spanish-American Club. He enjoyed music and playing his guitar. Mr. Rivera was a noted pitcher in the Softball Recreation League. He also umpired many games. Mr. Rivera was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing dominos and horseshoes. He especially enjoyed spending time with his loving family. On February 21, 1970 he married Daisy Rivera who survives. Mr. Rivera is also survived by two sons: Jorge L. Rivera and his fiancé Marilyn Soto of Amsterdam, and Julio O. Rivera and his girlfriend Penny Farquhar of Amsterdam; his daughter Christina Rivera Gasner of Amsterdam; six brothers: Jose Rivera of Clearwater, FL; Irving and Julio Rivera of Brooklyn; Samuel Rivera of Staten Island; Carlos and Angel Ruiz of FL; Three sisters: Maria Rivera of Clearwater, FL, Blanca Gonzales of Amsterdam and Maria M. Moran of Minnesota; three grandchildren; Jasmine I. Rivera, Luis Gomez and Anthony Osorio; and his sister-in law and brother-in-law Rachel and Ernesto Dormond. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Rivera was predeceased by his brother Luis Rivera. Funeral services will be held 8:30am Thursday at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, followed at 9:30am by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael?s Church. Burial is in St. Michael?s Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 5 until 8:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made: St. Michael?s Cemetery, P.O. Box 699, Amsterdam, NY 12010.