Emilio Rivera Sr.

For 55 years, Emilio was married to his high school sweetheart, Marta Rivera, the love of his life. He is survived by their children, each of whom he had a way of making feel like they were his favorite — deeply, completely, wholeheartedly:

• Emely Rivera (“Emiliana”) and her loving partner, Paul Gregory;

• Anette Rivera (“Net”) and her wife, Elizabeth Failey;

• Emilio Rivera Jr. (“Junior”) and his wife, Sharlyne Rivera.

Papa leaves behind ten beautiful grandchildren and one great‑grandchild, Amarlo Knowles, whom he fiercely loved and adored: Camilo Knowles, Lorenzo Knowles, Dee Dee Taylor, Zac Taylor, Chris Gregory, Addie Elizabeth Rivera, Emilio Jerryah Rivera III (“Papito”), Elijah Paul Rivera, Ezekiel (Zeke) Clemente Rivera, and Eliana Harmony Rivera. They were his joy.

Born on April 29, 1947, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Emilio spent the early part of his adolescence in Gurabo, and he remained a proud Puerto Rican all his life. He was a force at the domino table, and anyone who sat across from him knew it. As the son of Emilio Rivera and Carmen Delia Ramírez, he moved often due to his father’s service in the United States Army — living in Panama, returning to Puerto Rico, and later residing near U.S. bases including White Sands Missile Range (NM), Fort Bliss (El Paso, TX), Fort Knox (KY), and Fort Jackson (SC). He possessed a sharp wit (no doubt from his father) and a deep resilience and strength (no doubt from his mother). These traits shaped the steadfastness and fortitude that defined him for the rest of his life.

Emilio graduated from what was then known as Gurabo High School. Immediately after, he was drafted and had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. The Air Force sent him to Syracuse University for Russian language training, and he served as a Russian linguist throughout his four‑year term, with assignments in Japan and Maryland, in support of the National Security Agency. He was brilliant in the most understated way — quietly, humbly, and almost invisibly — until a moment came when only he could see what needed to be done. After his service, he completed technical training at Control Data Institute, laying the foundation for a lifelong career in computing.

Emilio began his career with National Computer Systems, and soon found his professional home at IBM, where he served for more than 30 years as a Customer Engineer. In that role, he installed, maintained, and repaired large and mainframe computer systems for major clients — work he carried out with ingenuity, diligence, and integrity. He took pride in being the person customers trusted to keep their mission‑critical systems running. IBM was blessed to have him — a loyal and exceptional employee who served with excellence through three decades of change.

Above all, Jesus was everything to Emilio. His faith shaped every part of his life—how he loved, how he worked, how he served, how he lived. He loved his family, his friends, and those he encountered the way Jesus loved him, and his greatest hope was found in

Christ. This faith, this hope, and everything he embodied because of them remain an enduring part of his legacy.

Those who knew Emilio will remember his contagious belly laugh, his unwavering love, and the way he made each child and grandchild feel deeply known and deeply loved. He was steadfast — faithful, loyal, disciplined — and every bit of that strength is rooted

deeply in his family today.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Gonzalez Funeral Home (7209 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614), with Jimmy Santiago officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00–9:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery. Arrangements are by Gonzalez Funeral Home.

The Rivera family expresses heartfelt gratitude to all who loved Emilio — and all who were loved by him.