Nestor Prosper-Rios

The third born of Juan and Fernanda Prosper, Nestor Prosper-Rios was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on October 8th, 1932. Always a hard worker, he enjoyed working with his father and went to work with him at a young age. He also ran errands for people around town.

The first day of school when he was seven-years-old there were not enough seats for the students, but the teacher said that if he could find a chair then he could stay. So he went and found a chair and was able to stay in school. When he was a young adult he enjoyed singing in a street band with other young men who would serenade the ladies around town. He sang for the band and also played the harmonica.

Soon after, Nestor joined the army and served for three years. He began attending church and led his future mother-in-law to the Lord. He first spotted his wife-to-be, Miriam, as she was walking to school one morning. Shortly after, he changed services and joined the Air Force. Miriam and Nestor were engaged for two years while he was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. They were later married on March 21th, 1959 at the Presbyterian Church, in Mayaguez. His wife's nickname for him was Neco, while he called her Milli. They had three children, Nestor, Ruth Eileen and Ivelisse.

The entire family moved to Guam and later to Massachusetts. The family has many good memories from their time in Massachusetts when Nestor took them to view many of country's sights along the East coast. After, the family returned to Puerto Rico for a year while he served in the Vietnam War. In the early 70's they moved to California, first to Edwards Air Force Base for a year and a half, and then to March Air Force Base. He retired at March, AFB after 26 years of service, making it their home.

Nestor worked in many areas on March AFB after retiring and he made many friends around the base. He always liked to joke around and make people laugh. Just as when he was a young boy, Nestor liked to run errands for his family and people knew him all over town. He enjoyed volunteering each Christmas and being a part of a missionary team that went to Mexico to visit an orphanage where he interpreted and purchased clothes for the children from donations that were made at the base.

Some of the hobbies that Nestor enjoyed were jewelry making with his son Nestor, ceramics, taking guitar lessons with his daughter Ruth Eileen and spending time gardening with his daughter Ivelisse. While in the service he was a draftsman and he also learned to cook. Every year for Thanksgiving he would make the turkey for the family. Thanksgiving was always a special time as everyone in the family woke to the smell of his turkey and they anticipated getting to eat his Thanksgiving dinner.

After he was married Nestor dedicated his life to his wife and children, everything he did was centered on them. He worked two jobs so the children could have everything they needed and were able to be involved in many activities so they could be well-rounded. In turn the children were able to raise their children in the same way. His three granddaughters Genevieve, Megan, and Raven were a source of much joy in his life. He was fortunate enough to live to see his great grandson, Xander, who he also enjoyed greatly.

In his later years, Nestor loved to go to church with his wife and he never wanted to miss a Sunday no matter what.