Hector Rivera, a proud resident of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, for nearly seventy years, died suddenly at his home on Tuesday, September 13, 2002. Hector was 76 years old.

Born on la Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico, Hector and his family were one of the first families from Puerto Rico to settle in Middlesex County.

Hector often shared joyous, youthful memories of swimming across the Arthur Kill to the shores of Staten Island and playing football for Perth Amboy High School. In addition to working with his father in his family's store in his youth, Hector was later employed by the Fedders Company and White Products-Westinghouse of Edison.

Hector also served in the United States Army as a paratrooper during the Vietnam War.

Hector was always a positive spirit for his family and friends, always happy and inspiring, and always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it was coaching for Edison Boys Baseball, donating time and money to local charitable causes, fishing and crabbing on Raritan Bay, watching the New York Yankees and the NEW JERSEY Giants, or just tossing a football around with his kids. He was especially proud that his sons excelled in their passions, academics, sports, and all, and he was a doting grandfather.

Hector leaves behind his sons David Rivera, Brian Rivera (and his wife Nancy), and Mark Rivera, together with his can-do-no-wrong grandchildren, Xavier and Valentina Rivera, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 424 East Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey 08861, with a funeral service at 1pm followed by military honors at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Hector's memory to the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development based in Perth Amboy: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/puerto-rican-association-for-human-development-incorporated .