Antonio Rivera

A long time resident of Lakewood, CA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in his Lakewood home on August 25, 2013. Born on September 1, 1921, Tony would have celebrated his 92nd birthday this Sunday. Tony was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Virginia, and his eldest son, Antonio Jr. He is survived by his son, Raymond (Sonnie) Rivera; daughters, Terri Rivera and Cha Cha (Ismael Gonzalez. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. Tony was born in Smeltzer, CA. and grew up in Westminster, CA. His parents, Andres Rivera and Maria Vargas had moved here from Penjamo, Guanajuato (Mexico). He joined the US Navy in August, 1942 and served his country for three years during World War II aboard the S.S. Southern Seas. Tony worked at Ford Motor Company for 34 years and later at the Employment Development Dept. (EDD) Unemployment Insurance Office in Long Beach where he retired at age 70. Tony was a loyal parishoner of St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Lakewood for 51 years. Tony always enjoyed watching golf and baseball on TV and was a great dancer in his younger years. Tony was blessed to live a full and productive life and he will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him. A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 3:00-7:00pm with a rosary at 6:00pm at Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary, 5161 E. Arbor Rd., Long Beach, CA 90808. A funeral mass will take place on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 10:30am at St. Pancratius Catholic Church, 3519 St. Pancratius Place, Lakewood, CA 90712 and interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach.

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401