LEDYARD: Avery Valentin Rivera passed in a tragic accident on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Avery was born on January 27th 2005 to Allison Socha and Luis Rivera Jr in Farmington, CT .
Avery is best known for his infectious smile and laugh, twinkly eyes and goofy personality that would make everyone smile and light up the room. To know him was to be loved. Avery was a 2023 graduate of St. Bernard’s in Uncasville, CT. Prior to St. Bernard’s Avery was a student at Butler Elementary School and Cutler Middle School in Mystic, CT.
Avery had a creative imagination that made him an amazing writer and photographer. He had a flair for cooking, most recently making dinner for his family a few nights a week. Avery was an avid athlete and basketball player with a love for the game but more importantly, the people who he got to play with. He loved fishing and boating around Beebe Cove and Long Island Sound where he grew up catching striped bass early in the morning watching the sun come up. As a child, Avery loved riding bikes with friends to the Noank Town Dock and GLP where he would spend hours swimming and hanging out with his twin brother and childhood friends. Avery had a love for all animals especially his family pets, Buoy, Moose and Mowgli. He loved cars and enjoyed taking fast, long car rides listening to his music with the wind in his hair.
Avery is survived by his mother, Allison Socha, fathers, Luis Rivera Jr and Jeremy Socha, twin brother Chase Rivera, sisters, Olivia and Keighly Socha, Summer Rivera and brother, Reily Socha. He is also survived by his grandparents, Patricia Tramel, Blanca Rivera, Alan and Janet Hill and Melinda Marshall and great grandmother, Frances Hill. Avery is predeceased by his grandfather, Frank Socha. Avery is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who were more than friends, but family to him.
Calling hours will be held at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street in Mystic on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 3-8 pm. Funeral services are private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Avery’s name to Mona’s House Animal Rescue (704 Gungywamp Rd Groton, CT 860-574-9541)