Rafael Rivera

Rafael Gaytan Rivera (†Concepcion), loving husband, father, community activist and Deacon of the Catholic Church. He was born in Parras De La Fuente, Coahuila, and lived in Monterrey, N.L., Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and Pontiac, Michigan where he resided. He is survived, by a brother, Roberto Rivera (†Olga), by nine children: Rafael G. Rivera Jr (Debra Harmon), Maria Cristina Rivera, Altagracia Nieves (†Pedro), Alejandro Rivera, Jose Luis Rivera (Rosemary Ann), Salvador Rivera (Theresa Ann), †Gabriel Rivera (Delia), Maria de Jesus Villarreal (Carlos), Daniel Rivera (Rose Ann), Esperanza Sauceda (Javier); and by 34 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren.

Early in his life, he was an entrepreneur, one that he cherished the most was a restaurant name Tupinamba’. He finished his working years as a Job Setter at Ford Motor Company where he retired in June of 1985. He was a very active member of the Community. He was very devoted to the Saint Vincent De Paul Parrish and helped organized the Society of the Virgin of Guadalupe. He was also a principle founder of The Lighthouse. He was one of the first Latino Deacons ordained by the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1972. He was committed to the catholic faith. He dedicated himself to the Word, the Liturgy and Charity.

Funeral arrangement will be as follow:

Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home, 46 Williams Street, Pontiac, MI 48341

Phone# 248-338-9288

Public viewing will be from 4-7p.m. on Saturday September 29, 2018 and 4-7p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2018 with the Rosary at 6:00p.m. on Sunday.

Mass will be at 11:00 a.m.   Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 at St Damion Molokai Parish (St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church), 46408 Woodward Ave. Pontiac, MI 48243

Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery.