Obituary of Antonio Rivera

Antonio Rivera, age 90, of Salinas, California passed away on Sunday July 2, 2023.  Antonio was born in Jerecuaro Guanajuato Mexico on April 29, 1933 to Juan Rivera Villafuerte and Felicitas Serrano (both are passed).  His siblings were Martin (Pedro) (passed away), Jesus (passed away), David, Lola, Sara (passed away), Josefina, and Celia.  He married Maria Isabel Soto Montoya on July 28, 1963 and had nine children - Antonio, Maria Isabel, Sylvia, Juan, Mariaelena (Nena) (passed away), Francisco, Miguel, Patricia and Sonia. 

He is survived by his loving family, wife for 60 years, 8 children who knew him as "Papa", 14 grandchildren who knew him as "Papa Tony" or "Abuelito", two son-in-laws and four daughter-in-laws.  Antonio valued family, spirituality, education and a hard work ethic.  Antonio had few friends but with deep roots as he always said, "You can count your true friends on one hand."  What he did not count on was that those few friends had large families, hence his circle grew fast.  Antonio leaves us with his values so that we may follow his example and as he liked to say, "Echarle Ganas!" (Give it your all!).  May the Lord guide him to the promised eternal life in the glory of the presence of God. 

A visitation will take place for Antonio on Monday, July 10th from 1-6pm with a Rosary Prayer Service at 4pm at Healey Mortuary Chapel.  His funeral Mass will be Tuesday, July 11th at 1pm at Christ the King Church in Salinas followed by burial at Garden of Memories Memorial Park.