John G. Rival

John G. Rival, of East Hartford, surrounded by his loving family, passed peacefully from this life to life eternal on Wednesday March 24, 2010. He was born in Hartford, November 1, 1925, a son of the late John and Anna (Yetter) Rival. John worked for the East Hartford Fire Department, for 32 years, retiring a Deputy Fire Chief in 1979. Following his retirement he worked at Connecticut Bank and Trust for ten years, retiring in 1988. He was a Communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church and a World War II Navy Veteran faithfully serving his country from 1943-1946. He was past President of the Benevolent Firefighters Association, the Police and Firemen Association, Local 1548 Firefighters Union, Senior Citizen Center, St. Mary’s Men’s Club, past member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Elks Lodge #2063, he was a member of the Connecticut Fire Chief Association, St. Mary’s Parish Church Council and the Commission on Services to the Elderly. John loved to golf and play duck pin bowling. He was also president of the East Hartford Seniors Golf League and the East Hartford Town Golf League. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Frances (Thompson) Rival in November of 2002. He is survived by his six children, Beth Nolting, Bonnie Rival and Judith Rival all of East Hartford, Sally Crickmore and her husband Thomas of Tolland and Sharon Fitzgerald and her husband John of Springfield, MA. And John “Jack” Rival and his wife Lynn of Enfield, his sister Viola Szymanski of East Hartford, his treasured ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many dear friends among them John Tuller. He was predeceased by two sisters Angeline Thomas and Alberta Stevens. His Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place Monday, March 29th, 10AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 36 Cambridge Drive, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Calling hours will be Sunday 3-8PM at the Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Memorial contributions may be made to the East Hartford Fire Department (EMS), 31 School Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 or Visiting Nurse & Health Services of Connecticut, 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066. For his online tribute or to offer a condolence please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com.