Elidio Cepeda Rivera

Elidio C. “Leo” Rivera, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away on October 13, 2022, at the age of 91. Leo was born on September 17, 1931 to Serveriano and Petra Rivera, in a small fishing village in Tamaulipas Mexico, affectionately known as La Pesca. Leo had the distinct honor of serving in the Military for both his native country, Mexico, and his naturalized country, the United States of America.

After serving as an MP in the Mexican Army, he then began a journey that led him to Detroit, Michigan where he met Rosinda Chavez, the love of his life and mother of his children. He was called to serve in the Army of the United States, where he was asked to become a US citizen to serve in a key role for the Army. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and immediately returned to Detroit to marry his one true love. Leo and Rosinda were married 66 years and had 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren

Leo had a varied career that began as a surveyor/draftsman and a welder/machinist, but it was his lifelong love of fishing that led him to eventually open La Rivera Seafood Restaurant in Houston’s Near Northside community. He introduced the unique cuisine of Mariscos, or Mexican seafood to the City of Houston. His sopa de mariscos was a local favorite for over 25 years starting in the early 1970’s. Both on his boat, La Perla, and in his restaurant, Leo lived by the mantra, “I’m captain of this ship, and I’ll do as I damn well please!”

He was well known and active in the small business community of Houston’s Northside and helped establish the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce with a group of fellow business owners and served as president.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Tomasa Tabasco, Emma Castillo, brothers Severiano and Jesus Rivera, his beloved grandson Ramon Nicholas Rivera, and son-in-law Ricardo Castillo. He is survived by his loving wife Rosinda, youngest sister Josefina Santillan, his son Victo (Susanna Rivera), daughter Norma (Winston Pereira), daughter Dora Castillo and son Gerardo Elidio (Catherine Rivera). His grandchildren are Leonard (Cherrity Rivera), Victor Elidio (Shelly Rivera), Vincent (Jessa Rivera), Gerardo (Laura Pereira), Michelle Pereira, Veronica (Jim Webb), Ricardo Castillo, Gregory Elidio and Vannessa Rivera. His great grandchildren are Emilio and Emmett Rivera, Pablo and Celeste Pereira, and Ava and Emma Webb.

His zeal for life always kept him busy on earth and we know he is now fishing with all of his loved ones who have welcomed him to heaven.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to the special caregivers – Marina, Aydee and the entire staff at Fairbanks Courts Assisted Living, for their kindness and the heartfelt care they provided to Leo.

A mass will be held at St Justin Martyr Catholic Church, 13350 Ashford Point Dr, Houston beginning at 10:30 am, Friday October 21, 2022.