Obituary of Deacon Valentin Rivera

Deacon Valentin Rivera LYNN—Valentin Rivera, 72, beloved husband of the late Irma (Berroa) Rivera and a Deacon with St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody, died very peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday May 22, 2012 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was in the comforting presence of his family by his side as his spirit was welcomed into the comforting presence of Christ. Born in Arroyo, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Celedonio and Ramona Rivera. He grew up there, and was a talented baseball player. He came to the United States, in Pennsylvania and New York City, as he was a prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960. He met his wife, Irma, in New York City, and moved to Lynn in 1965 where he lived for the last 46 years. “Val” as he was known, worked as an Upholsterer. His biggest passion in life was his faith in the Lord Jesus and his very faithful devotion to the Catholic Church, which led to his ordination as a permanent deacon in 1988. During his 24 years as a deacon he served the Hispanic community at Saint John the Baptist Parish in Peabody. As a gentle and loving father to that community from its early years, he preached and practiced true love of God and neighbor. Though he will be greatly missed and left this world before celebrating 25 years as a deacon, he will always be remembered as an untiring minister at the altar, and as a saintly servant of God. He is survived by Manny Berroa who was raised as his son, of Lynn and Santiago, Dominican Republic; other very dedicated and close nieces and nephews, Xiomara Taylor of Miami, FL, Jose Berroa of St. Louis, MO, Jose Crime of Lynn, Carmen Stowe of Lynn, Clarissa Castillo of Lynn, and many other nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday May 26, 2012 at 11 AM in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody. As was his wish, Deacon Valentin will lie in state for a visitation from 4 – 8 P.M. on Friday in the Lower Church at St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. Memorial donations may be made to either the Deacon Valentin Rivera Memorial Fund, c/o St. John the Baptist Church, 17 Church St., Peabody, MA 01960 or to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.