Obituary

Eddie Rivera passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Community Hospital, Toms River, New Jersey.

Born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, Eddie was the youngest of 17 children born to the late Juan Rivera and Julia Quiles on November 16, 1938. As a teenager, Eddie came to Hoboken, NJ and was a longtime resident. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963 and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1963-1967. He was a dedicated bus operator for NJ Transit for 27 years. After retirement, Eddie eventually settled in Forked River, New Jersey and enjoyed working as a bus driver, serving the senior communities of Whiting and Toms River. He was a diehard Mets fan who found joy in his children, grandchildren, old Western movies, salsa music, and his many pets. Eddie is survived by his widow, Socorro (Olivieri); son Eddie Jr. and his wife Jean; daughter Nancy; stepdaughter Amy Breitenbach and longtime companion Kathleen Santamaria. He was a loving grandfather to Stephanie Montañez, Jacob Rivera, and Sidney Breitenbach, and great-grandfather to Santiago and Valentina Loayza. He also leaves behind two sisters, Alicia Defelice and Mery Rivera, and a host of loving nieces and nephews. Eddie had a larger than life personality. To know him was to love him, and he will be sorely missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a public viewing on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 10 am-12 pm at Failla–McKnight Memorial Home, Hoboken, NJ. Interment and graveside service to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

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