SPRINGFIELD – Christopher Weldon Rivers, 64, of the East Springfield section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, October 27, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on February 1, 1954, a beloved son of the late Robert J. and Marie Blanche (Nadeau) Rivers. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from the High School of Commerce and was a lifelong resident of the city. He was last employed as the Facilities Manager for 14 years at the Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr and Saint Stanislaus School in Chicopee. He was previously a District Manager for the Big Y Corporation for 21 years. Chris was a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church in East Springfield where he served his parish as a Eucharistic Minister, CCD Instructor, Youth Ministry and Past President of the Parish Council. He was the Coordinator of multiple basketball programs at both Our Lady of Hope Church and Saint Stanislaus School. He was an IABBO Board # 31 Referee for over a decade. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council No. 69 in Chicopee. Chris most especially enjoyed coaching his children’s teams, was a disc jockey known as “CR Sounds” and donated much of his time to the community. Most of all, Chris loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Cheryl M. (Jordan) Rivers. They were married on April 24, 1976 at Saint Mary’s Church in East Springfield and were blessed with over 42 years of happiness together. Chris also leaves his five loving children, Steven P. Rivers and his wife, Pamela, of West Springfield, Jeffrey M. Rivers and his wife, Jennifer, of East Longmeadow, Matthew A. Rivers of Springfield, Jeremy J. Rivers and his fiancée, Chantel Letendre, of Springfield, and Cassandra M. Rivers and her boyfriend, Seth Boissonneault, of Springfield; his six cherished grandchildren who affectionately called him “Poppers”, Andrew, Ethan and Mackenzie Rivers, Lindsey and Carter Rivers, and Cameron Liquore; his dear mother-in-law, Alberta Jordan of Chicopee; his nine dear siblings, Dorothy Randall and her husband, George, of Florida, Theresa LaFleche and her husband, Richard, of Springfield, Rosemary Rodolakis and her husband, Tony, of South Carolina, Trudy Kellogg and her husband, George, of Belchertown, Geraldine Hillios and her husband, George, of West Springfield, Daniel Rivers and his wife, Nancy, of Feeding Hills, Jimmy Rivers and his wife, Lisa, of Springfield, Marie Couture and her husband, Norman, of West Springfield, and Anthony Rivers and his wife, Celeste, of Springfield; his dear sister-in-law, Robin Rivers of Chicopee; his dear brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of the Jordan family, Gary Jordan and his wife, Cathy, of Connecticut, Gregory Jordan and his wife, Liz, of Maryland, Diane Loughman and her husband, David, of Agawam, Mary Spakanik and her husband, Joseph, of Springfield, Joanne Sullivan of Feeding Hills and Carolyn Evans and her husband, James, of Feeding Hills; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Rivers and Jordan families. In addition to his beloved parents, he was also predeceased by his dear father-in-law, Arden Jordan; and his six dear siblings, Roger Nadeau, Robert Rivers, Susie Bonneau, Leo Rivers, Raymond Rivers and Mark Rivers. His Funeral will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. His Burial will follow the Mass at Saint Patrick Cemetery, 168 Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com