Noël Rivera

Noël Rivera passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026 at 4:43 p.m. at Northwest Community Hospital hospice. Noël put up a valiant fight against non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic liver cancer which was Stage 4 upon diagnosis in January 2025.

Noël was born in Puerto Rico on July 19, 1949, the son of Marcelo and Irene Rivera (nee Rodriguez) and came to the United States as a baby.

Noël was a graduate of Yates grade school Chicago, Illinois and Murray F. Tuley High School, Chicago, Illinois. Noël was a Sea Scout in grammar school with his best friend Tom Hilty. He also was skilled in Wing Chun possessing a black sash.

Noël was a fighter to the very end and wanted to live and regain the feelings in his hands so that he could play guitar again. It was his passion. The loss of the use of his hands from chemotherapy was a pain that hit him to his core with his lifelong love of playing guitar, singing, performing, and telling his many stories.

Noël was known as “the Human Jukebox” as he knew 668 songs by heart from oldies to classic rock. Noël’s favorite musical groups included America, The Eagles, Pink Floyd and Uriah Heep of which he did many covers.

Noël’s first band in high school in the 60’s was The Hustlers in which he was lead singer accompanied by Larry Baran (keyboards, backing vocals), Robert Stewart (rhythm guitar), Jose Figueroa (base) and Robert Ruiz (lead guitar) and Bob “Seeds” MelIin (drums). Their photographer and publicity agent was Joe Kopera. The Hustlers won first place in Battle of the Bands at Navy Pier and were given a record contract. Noël wrote and performed two songs including “The Sky is Black” and “She Waits for Me” in conjunction with his band members Stewart, Baron and Ruiz. You can hear the record on YouTube. In the 70’s, for a brief period, Noël played with Tradewinds. Noël headlined other bands including Raw Flesh and Conqueror Worm before pursuing a solo career. Noël opened for several classic rock bands including Tommy James and the Shondells and America.

Noël played guitar for over 20 years at both the indoor and outdoor Wolff’s Flea Market at his friend Phil Ignoffo’s booth where he was known and loved by many. Noël gifted stuffed animal “dolls” to the children who came to see him play each weekend that he won from the “Claw” machine of which he was an expert. Noël starred at The Assembly Restaurants in both Hoffman Estates and West Dundee for over 5 years. Noël was a solo performer at Taste of Peru Restaurant in Chicago, Cheeseburger In Paradise in Des Plaines, Potbelly’s Sandwich Shops, and had many private events including block parties, New Year’s Eve parties, weddings, The Chicago Curling Club pig roasts, and Belmont Harbor pier parties in Chicago. Noël taught guitar lessons and has many accomplished students over the past 21 years. It was in 2005, at Noël’s summer gig at the Chicago Botanic Garden where he met Kathleen Watterlohn and they fell in love.

Noel had many occupations over the years including working at Zenith, Rock-Ola Jukebox, U-Haul, a painter for a commercial painting firm and a window installer for a commercial glass company.

Noël was preceded in death by his parents, Marcelo and Irene Rivera (nee Rodriguez), and his half-siblings, Tony Rivera and Carmen Montes. Noël is survived by his significant other, Kathleen Watterlohn and their cat Bowie, half-nephew Robert Rivera (Krystal), half-great niece Samantha Rose Rivera, half-great nephews, Robert “Tony”, Nicholas (Kara) and Jesse Rivera and many half-great-great nieces and nephews (Raelynn, Alivia, Aria, Aubrey).

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 12:30 PM until 5:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Noël’s significant other, Kathleen will be receiving guests at 12:30 PM. Prayers and Words of Remembrance will start at 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations under Noël Rivera’s name may be made to Save-A-Pet, 31664 N. Fairfield Road, Grayslake, IL. (847) 740-7788, ext.108 (saveapetil.org).

Plans are to have a Celebration of Life party for Noël later during the summer, details to be determined. Kathleen will be in contact with you.