Methuen, Ma. – Jose R. Rivadeneira, 93, died Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at his home with his loving family by his side.
Mr. Rivadeneira, son of Victor and Anna O. (Gutierrez) Rivadeneira, was born and educated in Manabi, Ecuador. While living in Ecuador, Jose was a self-employed master carpenter and served in his country’s armed forces. When he first arrived in this country and for many years afterwards, Jose was employed with the Honeywell Corporation.
His family said that as a carpenter, he enjoyed making furniture. He also loved taking walks and was a lover of animals. Jose, a communicant of St. Monica’s Church, was a very charitable man and always made time to assist those less fortunate, a quality his family found extremely admirable. Jose had a special relationship with his family members and they loved him dearly in return.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Francisca A. (Chavez) Rivadeneira. Survivors also include children Gladys V. and her husband, Jose J. Alvarado, of Florida; Jose S. Rivadeneira and his wife, Theresa, of Lawrence; Sonia J. Velez and her husband, Ippolito, of Washington State; Jimmy Rivadeneira of Methuen; Ruth K. Aviles and her husband, Walter, of Methuen; Monica MacLean and her husband, David, of New Jersey; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Jose is also survived by his sister Leticia Lopez of Ecuador.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday morning at 10:30 AM in Saint Monica’s Church, followed by interment at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence.
Friends will be warmly received on Sunday evening from 7-9 PM and Monday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home 233 Lawrence Street of Methuen.
Friends who wish to do so may make memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.