Noel Santos Rivera Jr.

Noel S. Rivera, Jr., age 14 months, was taken home to his Lord in Heaven by the angels, while he was napping at home on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Noel was born on February 5, 2019 to Noel S. Rivera and Jessica Valencia of Brooklyn, NY.

Despite his short time on earth, Noel was deeply loved and brought immense joy and happiness to all around him. He enjoyed listening to music; cuddling with his stuffed animals, especially Mickey Mouse; and being held close by his parents and grandparents. In addition to his loving parents, Noel and Jessica, Noel is survived by his maternal grandmother Blanca Botero and his paternal grandmother Carmen Montanez. He leaves also his adoring aunts Monisha Poran, Elaine Rivera, and Alice Castro; his loving godfather, the Most Reverend Stephen J. Enea of Utica, NY; several cousins; and many extended family members who loved and cherished him and who will miss him greatly.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, 2005 W.6th Street, Brooklyn, NY. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 1, 2020, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm followed immediately by Noel’s funeral service, which will be officiated by the Rev. Deacon Anthony Mammoliti. At the family’s request, please omit floral offerings.

The family would like to thank the firefighters/paramedics of FDNY Engine 282/Ladder 148 and the ER staff of Maimonides Medical Center for their exceptional efforts in trying to save Noel’s life and for their compassionate care and support after his passing. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Michael Rizzotto of Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home for accepting our child into his care during the COVID-19 crisis, which has overwhelmed New York area funeral homes beyond their capacity. He has gone above and beyond in making our loss easier to bear. We would also like to thank David Roefaro of the Scala-Roefaro Funeral Home in Utica, NY for his initial guidance, counsel and support in helping us find our way to a funeral home that would help us locally. He too has gone above and beyond what was required of him. Finally, we especially want to thank all those who have contributed to Noel’s GoFundMe appeal. Without you, things would be much different and sadder for us. We are grateful for your generosity, especially since for many of you, your gift of financial support was a sacrificial one. God bless all of you!