medical complications in recent months demonstrated courage in facing life challenges. Despite
the pain, Raul remained strong until the end and is remembered as a hero.
Raul was born on February 13, 1956, in Corozal, Puerto Rico, to parents Mariano Rivera and
Margarita Lozada. As a toddler, he moved to Brooklyn, New York City, where he spent the
majority of his adolescent and adult life. As a talented artist, he graduated from the High School
of Art and Design in 1975 in Manhattan, New York. Following in his father’s footsteps to serve
his country, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he honorably served from
1975-1979.
After completing his military service, he went back home to Brooklyn where he utilized his
military training to work in security. In May 1993, he married Pamela Joaquin. They met on the
subway where Raul struck up a friendly conversation with Pamela. As the subway stopped, they
simultaneously got up to leave, and shortly realized they lived in the same apartment building.
The rest was history. A few years later they welcomed their first born child, Mariella, in 1996 and
their second, Christian, in 1998. Leaving the cold winters and the city hustle and bustle as a fond
memory, the family relocated to Orlando, Florida.
In addition to his wife, kids, and parents he is also survived by his six siblings Juan “Johnny”,
Iris, Yolanda, Ivan, Marco “Mike," and Javier. Raul is kept in our hearts as the playful, dad-joketelling,
disco loving, host-with-the-most, and generally positive person he was.
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