Daniel Rivera

Daniel Rivera, beloved son, brother, and father, passed away on October 23, 2018 after an ongoing battle with cancer. He was 61 years old.

On July 3, 1957 in Long Beach, California, Daniel became the eldest of four children born to Carlos and Juana Rivera. In his early and secondary public-school years, Daniel was a devout student who showed great potential for academic success. Not only was he acknowledged for being an attentive student, Daniel proved to be an exceptional athlete. He excelled at both baseball and football. While at Phineas Banning High School, Daniel possessed both the ambition and skill that most coaches dreamed for in an NFL player.

It was with the same motivation that Daniel began his career as a Casual Longshoremen. After dedicating four years to the field, Daniel secured a job as an equipment operator at StarKist. He thrived there for nine years before transitioning into the refinery business, where he remained for 15 years as an oil rigger.

Daniel marched to the beat of a different drummer: he was a sharp dresser, appreciated luxury cars, found joy in his family and was liked by many. Though Daniel experienced both good fortune and adversity throughout his life, he dedicated his final year to serving the Lord.

Daniel is survived by his four children Darrell Matos, Gezelle Perkins, Crystal and Danny Rivera. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Destiny, Darrell Jr, Mikayla, Nicholas, Anthony, Khloe, Shanelle, Brooklyn, Leanne, Leah, George, his mother, Juana, his brother, Carlos and family, his brother, Roy and family, and his sister, Virginia Bevel and family.