Dionicio R. Rivera

Dionicio Rivera Rivera , 75, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in El Paso, Texas. He was born in 1949 to Catalina and Juan Rivera in Dingalang, Philippines. He had a difficult childhood because his parents died young; however, that did not deter him.

He and his older brother moved around from relative to relative and even ran away at one point because they would not allow him to go to school. Eventually he and his brother were taken in by a kind aunt who allowed him to go to school. Receiving an education was important to him even at a young age. Although his aunt provided him with a home, he had to earn his tuition money to go to school. He was a hard worker and received many opportunities because of his work ethic. He was also popular with the students and he was the president of his high school graduating class as well as Student Association President at Northern Luzon Academy. Although, he wanted to join the navy when he graduated high school he was unable to. Instead he enrolled at Mountain View College in the southern part Philippines. This college allowed students to work while going to college. However, his uncle was able to find him a sponsor. This sponsor would go on to fund his education at Philippine Union College in Manila, Philippines. He graduated from Philippine Union College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

He married his high school sweetheart, Norma Villoso Rivera, in 1977. They had two children. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1983. In the US, he obtained his nursing home administrators license and worked as an administrator for many years. Being an entrepreneur at heart, he also had many businesses throughout the years including a school, medical equipment company, car shop, carwash, home health agency, skilled nursing facility, and an assisted living facility. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree.

He was a valued member of the El Paso Central Seventh-day Adventist church serving in several positions, most prominently as an elder. He was also active in the local church school, El Paso Adventist Academy, serving as school board chairman and all around volunteer. He was the sitting president of the Philippine Culture and Heritage Society here in El Paso. In addition to his local community activities, he also served as the president of Northern Luzon Adventist Hospital in the Philippines for 10 years.

He was a natural born leader and he is most remembered for his generosity. He was willing to assist any person in need whether their needs were big or small. He touched many lives throughout his life and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Villoso Rivera, his daughter, Irish Faye R. Pugao and her husband Reo Pugao, his son Donovan J. Rivera and his wife L. Aimee Hechanova, and four grandchildren, Ronin Kai R. Pugao, Royal Makani R. Pugao, Derek Wilmer Rivera, Diane Norma Rivera all of El Paso, TX. He is also survived by his brother, Alberto Rivera and his wife Esther Rivera and several nieces and nephews from the Philippines.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 2:00 at El Paso Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Funeraria Del Angel Evergreen East from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be sent to El Paso Central Seventh-day Adventist Church for “EPAA Playground in honor of Dionicio Rivera.”