Mario Francisco Rivera, Jr., a native of Bronx, New York and resident of Bronson , Florida, passed away at his home on January 31, 2022. He was 84 years old.
Services will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Williston, Florida. Visitation begins at 9:00am, followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Graveside service will be conducted at 12:30pm at Forest Meadows
Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Ave. Gainesville, Florida 32609.
He is preceded in death by his parents , Mario Fransico Rivera, Sr. and Otilia Acosta Torres, as well as his siblings, Roberto Santana, Jr. and Gloria Santana Spinelli. Mario is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Porfiria Cruz Rivera, and his children: Maris (Kevin) Kavanaugh, Marcie McBride (Fred Powell), and Mario Francisco Rivera, III. He is also survived by his brothers : Richard Rivera, William Rivera, Joseph Rivera, and John Rivera, and sisters: Ramona Thigpen and Marion Fritizus. He had five grandchildren: Jeshua, Justin, Tasheanna, Julian (Kruz), and Isabella; and five great- grand children: Katie, Kevin, Kyla, Kendall, and Thomas.
Mr. Rivera was a retiree from the University of Florida, having worked as a mechanical engineer, and serving as the university’s first ever Energy Coordinator. Prior to his years at UF, he enjoyed a long career as a Professional Consulting Engineer. He received multiple engineering degrees, and was a graduate of Westchester Community College (White Plains, NY) in 1957, and Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck, NJ) in 1960.
Mario was proud to have served his country as an airman in the New York Air National Guard, from 1956-1962. Mario was a member of Holy Catholic Church, Williston, FL, for over 40 years. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his honor to Holy Family Catholic Church.
I am sorry to here of Mr. Rivera’s passing. I was a student employee and worked for him in UF’s Department of Energy Conservation in the early 80s. I learned some of my earliest lessons about being a professional from Mario. Rest in Peace.